50% of your work should be done before you walk into a meeting!
Know who will be attending your meeting. Make sure key people are attending the team meeting (this is required under IDEA). A team should include:
regular education teacher
special education teachers
any therapist your child sees at school
someone who can explain any test results
a district representative— such as a principal or psychologist—who can make funding decisions.
Parents should receive prior written notice of an IEP meeting that includes a list of everyone who will be attending. The meeting must be at a mutually agreed upon time, with 10-day notice to the parents (unless they wave this option). If parents agree, members of the team can be excused or participate in alternative ways (via written report, telephone or be excused from the meeting altogether). Parents will be asked to give written consent. Parents have a right to ask for a different meeting time or date if necessary, but repeated changes in scheduling may be seen in a negative manner. The Meeting Notice should state the purpose or the meeting (eg: need further evaluation, planning, qualification for Special Education, IEP or IEP review meeting).
Set a meeting time line at the beginning of the meeting with a starting and ending times. This is a respectful gesture of the team members' time constraints and can outline specifically what your expectations are in a professional manner.
Get draft copies of any reports and/or evaluations that will be discussed, prior to the meeting. So that you can effectively participate in the meeting, ask for a copy of reports the school will present. Preview all reports and prepare questions or concerns. Be sure to take note of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Many schools create draft copy of the IEP before the meeting, be sure to ask for a copy of it. An easy way to request the draft is to ask for this on the meeting notice form or in an email to the team. Add a note that reads, “I require a draft copy of the IEP four days prior to our meeting. Please send it via backpack or I will pick it up in the front office (date, time)…”
Define your VISION for your child's future. Write it in large print. Take it with you to the meeting.
Make a Top 10 list, (refer to your VISION). Note the top issues you would like to see addressed in the IEP, and then prioritize them. Review the IEP to see if these issues are discussed in the present level, addressed in the goals, accommodated in the classroom and the services are aligned to address them. All areas discussed in the IEP must be to help your child progress. The IEP should be written to the maximum extent possible with challenging expectations that have been established for all students. This includes developmental, functional and academic area. As a team member you may have to compromise. Identify priorities and keep focused on those actions that will support your vision for the future. Ask yourself, "What areas will I not budge on?" and, "Where can I be flexible?"
Organize all documents and paper work on your child in a 3-ring binder. Put a large photo of your child in the front clear pouch. Tape your VISION statement to the inside pocket. Add all paper work in order with tabs. Separate IEP’s, evaluations, sample work, staff communication and other documents. Put them in order with the front being most current.
Know who will be attending your meeting. 
