Requesting a Meeting to Review the Individualized Education Program (IEP)

If your child is receiving special education services, he or she must have a written plan known as an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP lists, among other things, annual goals and objectives for your child and the special education services that he or she will receive. You are a member of the team that writes your child's IEP. As an IEP team member, you can ask that your child's IEP be reviewed and revised, if needed. This part of the Parent's Guide looks at writing a letter to request that your child's IEP be reviewed.

Why might I ask for a review of my child's IEP?

Some reasons for requesting an IEP review include:

·         Your child has met one, or several, of the goals written in the IEP.

·         Your child does not seem to be making enough progress toward one, or several, of the goals written in IEP.

·         You feel your child needs more services or other services in order to make progress.

·         You feel that your child no longer needs a service he or she is currently receiving.

·         Your child has experienced a major change, such as illness, injury, or surgery.

Sample Letter: Requesting an IEP Review

Today's Date (include month, day, and year)

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Your Child's Special Education Teacher
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Teacher's name),

I am writing to request an IEP review meeting. I would like to discuss making some possible changes in (child's name)'s IEP. I am concerned about (state your reasons, but don't go into detail about the specific changes you want to make—save those for the meeting).

I would also like to have (names of specialists or other staff) attend. I think his/her/their ideas about the changes we may need to make will be valuable.

I can arrange to meet with you and the other members of the IEP team on (days) between (give a range of time, such as between 2:00 and 4:00). Please let me know what time would be best for you.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. My daytime telephone number is (give your phone number). Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: specialists or other staff

Requesting a Change of Placement

Placement means where your child's IEP is carried out. Depending on your child's needs, his or her placement may be in the general education classroom, in a special education classroom, in a special school, in your home, in a hospital or institution, or in another setting. Placement is based on the IEP. Therefore, when you request a change in placement, you are actually requesting an IEP review to discuss your child's needs and where those needs are met.

Why might I ask for a change in my child's placement?

You might want to request a change in your child's placement if you feel that your child's needs are not being met appropriately. For example, you may become concerned about your child's placement after reviewing your child's progress reports; reviewing the results of any state, district-wide, or alternate assessments your child has been given; talking with your child's teacher or other service providers; or talking with your child.

Placement concerns might also include:

·         changes in your child's needs;

·         current class size is too large or too small;

·         current class is too academic or not academic enough;

·         the placement does not meet your child's social or emotional needs;

·         the building is too difficult for your child to get around; or

·         any other reason that this class placement is not working out successfully.

Sample Letter: Requesting a Change of Placement

Today's Date (include month, day, and year)

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Principal or Special Education Administrator
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Principal's or Administrator's name),

I am writing to request a meeting to discuss a change in placement for my son/daughter, (child's name). He/she is currently in the (___) grade in (teacher's name) class. I feel he/she needs to be in (name of alternative, if you know; otherwise describe the type of placement you feel is more appropriate for your child, such as your neighborhood school, a center-based program, general education class, or special class).

I am most concerned about (keep this paragraph brief and mention your child's unmet needs, not problems with individual people).

I would also like to have (name of teacher(s) and/or any specialists you would like from the current and/or requested placement) attend this meeting.

I can arrange to meet with the rest of the IEP team on (days) between (give a range of time, such as between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.). Please let me know what time would be best.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. My daytime telephone number is (give your phone number). Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: your child's principal (if letter is addressed to an administrator)
your child's teacher(s)
specialists or other staff