How Do You Handle Difficult IEP Meetings?

1. Know The Purpose. Do you know the purpose of the meeting? …
2. Know Who Will Be There. Knowing who will be in attendance will give you the advantage of being prepared. …
3. Collect Data. …
4. Bring Backup If Needed. …
5. Start Positive. …
6. Listen First and Validate Concerns. …
7. Take Notes. …
8. Stay Calm & Relaxed.

How do you handle conflict in an IEP meeting?

First,

try to solve problems directly with your child’s IEP team

and try to talk through the disagreement. Start by assuming that everyone in the room wants to help your child. Try take emotion out of the discussion. Use data and facts (like test scores and evaluation data) to explain your concerns.

What should you not say at an IEP meeting?

• “Let’s just wait and see…” No, no, no. …
• “We don’t do that here.” You’ve done your research and asked other parents. …
• “We’ve never seen him do that at school.” Just one of the many examples of either gaslighting or invalidating parent concerns.

How do you improve IEP meetings?

1. Bring the learning goals and plans, and when it is your turn, share your vision for how to help the student strive to reach those goals.
2. Bring some solid strategies and suggestions—and go big.
3. Share what you believe.
4. Ask the hard questions.
5. Say what needs to be said.
6. Fully participate.

How do you handle a situation with a parent who is upset at an IEP meeting?

Remember:

stay calm, speak slowly, keep it short

, and do not become defensive or angry. If the parent makes complaints, ask him/her to write them down. State that you will respond in writing. Do not get up and walk out of the conference unless you have been given permission by the principal.

What is an IEP violation?

Most often it means that

you did not receive the IEP Meeting Invitation 10 days before the meeting

. Or that they did not complete the evaluations within the mandated 60 days. If you have great data and documentation that the team is not following the IEP as written, you can try filing a compliance complaint.

What happens if you reject an IEP?

This is called

the child’s right to “Stay Put

.” two times per week until the parent and school can agree upon the amount of services, or until a hearing officer resolves the dispute. This can apply to individual services, to an entire IEP, or to a placement.

What parents should know about IEP meetings?

• How can I contact you? …
• When is a good time to have an informal conversation about my child’s progress? …
• What do you see as my child’s strengths? …
• What type of progress can I expect to see? …
• What can I do at home to support our goals?

What should a good IEP look like?

For kids to get the most out of an IEP, the goals shouldn’t be vague or general. Instead, they should be

SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, and Time-bound

.

What makes a strong IEP?

SMART IEPs have

specific goals and objectives

. Specific goals target areas of academic achievement and functional performance. They include clear descriptions of the knowledge and skills that will be taught and how the child’s progress will be measured. SMART IEPs have measurable goals and objectives.

What to do if a parent is angry at you?

1. Listen and Agree. Allow them the opportunity to vent without interruption. …
2. Categorize. …
3. Empathize. …
4. Take Responsibility and Apologize. …
5. Let Them Know You’re Going to Fix It. …
6. Follow Up.

How do you calm down an angry parent?

1. Model appropriate behavior. Use a calm tone and do not allow your voice to raise if they raise their voice. …
2. Validate their concerns. …
3. Let them vent. …
4. Don’t take it personally. …
5. Use positive body language. …
6. Set limits and boundaries. …
7. Follow up with a personal phone call.

What are some ways to remain calm during parent meetings?

1. 9 Ways to Keep Calm and Soothe the Angry Parent.
2. Listen. …
3. Use kind words. …
4. Keep good records. …
5. Stay in Contact. …
6. Think on It. …
7. Limit the Conversation – Redirect. …
8. Table the Meeting.

What are the 7 steps of the IEP process?

• 7 Steps Of The IEP Process. Suzie Dalien. …
• Step 1: Pre-Referral. There are different pre-referral interventions through which to initiate the IEP process. …
• Step 2: Referral. …
• Step 3: Identification. …
• Step 4: Eligibility. …
• Step 5: Development Of The IEP. …
• Step 6: Implementation. …
• Step 7: Evaluation And Reviews.

Can a teacher be fired for not following an IEP?

No, not really

. If you were to file a lawsuit, most judges will throw out the case if you have not gone through Due Process first. Our court system does not want to be bogged down with IEP disputes, which is why the Due Process system was set up. There’s no such thing as an IEP Violation Lawsuit or anything like that.

What does FAPE stand for in special ed?

The Section 504 regulation requires a school district to provide a “

free appropriate public education

” (FAPE) to each qualified person with a disability who is in the school district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the person’s disability.