IEP Meetings
What to Bring to an IEP Meeting
5 min read
Exactly what to bring to an IEP meeting — documents, notes, questions, and support — so you arrive organized and ready to advocate for your child.
Knowing exactly what to bring to an IEP meeting removes a whole layer of stress. When your materials are organized, you can reference facts instead of trying to remember them, and you look — and feel — prepared.
Here is a complete IEP meeting checklist of what to have with you.
Documents to bring
- The current and draft IEP. Bring both so you can compare what is changing.
- Recent evaluations and reports. Psychological, speech, occupational therapy, or academic testing.
- Progress reports and report cards. Evidence of how goals are actually going.
- Work samples. A few examples that show strengths or struggles in real terms.
- Prior written communication. Emails or notes from teachers that support your points.
- Any private evaluations. If you have outside assessments, bring copies.
Keeping these in a single IEP binder with labeled sections means you can find any page in seconds.
Your notes and preparation
- A written list of your concerns, grouped by theme
- A written list of questions to ask the team
- Your child's strengths profile so the conversation stays balanced
- Notes on accommodations that are or are not working
Practical items
- A notebook or device to take notes (or a support person to take them for you)
- A pen and, ideally, printed copies of anything you want to hand out
- Contact information for anyone you want to follow up with
- Water and a little patience — meetings can run long
What to bring emotionally
You know your child better than anyone in the room. Bring that perspective, and bring the expectation that you are a full member of the team — not a guest. A calm, organized folder is a quiet form of advocacy all on its own.
After the meeting
Bring a plan for follow-up, too. Note who agreed to do what and by when, and request a copy of the finalized IEP. A simple post-meeting follow-up page keeps everything from slipping through the cracks.
The planners below include every checklist, organizer, and note page mentioned here, already formatted and ready to print.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should I bring to an IEP meeting?
Bring the current and draft IEP, recent evaluations and reports, progress reports, work samples, prior written communication with the school, and any private evaluations. Keeping them in a labeled binder makes each one easy to find.
Should I bring my own notes to an IEP meeting?
Yes. Bring a written list of your concerns and questions, plus notes on which accommodations are and are not working. Written notes make sure your key points get raised even in a fast-moving meeting.