Workshop Objectives

1. Understand the IEP Process
   • Define what an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is and why it is crucial for their child’s education.
   • Identify the key components of an IEP, including goals, services, accommodations, and modifications.
   • Understand the timeline of the IEP process, from initial development to periodic reviews and updates.
2. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
   • Gain a clear understanding of their legal rights as parents in the IEP process.
   • Learn how to advocate effectively for their child within the legal framework of special education laws (IDEA, Section 504, etc.).
   • Understand the process of consent, revisions, and making decisions for their child’s educational plan.
3. Prepare for IEP Meetings
   • Develop strategies for preparing for IEP meetings, including gathering relevant information, setting goals, and listing concerns.
   • Learn how to organize and prioritize questions and topics to discuss during the meeting.
   • Understand how to work collaboratively with the school team to develop the best IEP for their child.
4. Communicate Effectively During IEP Meetings
   • Use effective communication skills, such as active listening and clear articulation of needs, to ensure their voice is heard.
   • Learn how to ask questions and request clarification on educational terminology or decisions.
   • Build confidence in presenting their child’s strengths and needs to the IEP team.
5. Navigate Challenges and Resolve Disagreements
   • Gain strategies for handling difficult situations, such as disagreements with the school team or issues with implementation.
   • Learn how to stay calm and focused during challenging conversations or when facing resistance.
   • Understand how to request additional meetings or modifications if things aren’t working for their child.
6. Understand the Role of Parents as Advocates
   • Learn how to be a strong advocate for their child’s needs within the IEP process.
   • Gain knowledge of how to collaborate with teachers, specialists, and school administrators to ensure appropriate services.
   • Understand how to monitor progress and follow through with IEP goals to ensure accountability.
7. Build Positive Relationships with the School Team
   • Develop strategies for fostering a collaborative, positive relationship with teachers, administrators, and service providers.
   • Learn how to approach the IEP process as a partnership between the school and home.
   • Understand the importance of keeping an open line of communication after the meeting to ensure successful implementation.
8. Ensure Follow-Through and Monitor Progress
   • Learn how to track their child’s progress on IEP goals and request updates from the school team when needed.
   • Understand how to address
   •  concerns or challenges that arise during the school year and request adjustments to the IEP.
   • Know when and how to request an IEP meeting for a revision or reevaluation if their child’s needs change.