A Comprehensive Guide to the IEP Process, for Parents.

Navigating the IEP process can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. You know your child deserves more, but figuring out how to get there? That’s a whole different story. Whether you’re new to IEPs or a seasoned parent advocate, this page has everything you need to feel confident, prepared, and in control. From breaking down the jargon to offering step-by-step guidance, you’ll find the tools, tips, and resources to help you get the IEP your child deserves—without the overwhelm.

Please note, I have a guide to 504 plans on another page.

IDEA has a well defined process. There are opportunities to advocate at each step of the process. Again–this is sequential. Meaning, if the team doesn’t adequately do the first step (evaluations), then that will negatively affect the rest of the IEP.

Here is a graphic explaining the steps. I break it down into five steps for parents to understand. Others will list seven or even 10 steps. But if you can master your advocacy skills in these five steps–you will positively affect your child’s outcomes.

Below it is a short video.

• Save

Here is the video. Once you have watched the video and understand the different steps, you can scroll down below to seek assistance with each step.

Steps of the IEP Process

I have over 800 articles on this site, written from the standpoint of having attended hundreds of IEP meetings with clients of all ages and disabilities. And, I’ve attended just about every major training that is out there.

IEP Evaluations and Eligibility

I have tried to sort these in the order in which you would need the advice. For example, knowing how to properly request IEP evaluations certainly comes before trying to understand the evaluation results.

1. Understanding the Steps of the Special Education Referral Process
2. How to Request an IEP Evaluation: A Step-by-Step Guide
3. IEP Testing and Evaluations: What IEP Tests should I ask for? (PDF)
4. How to Understand IEP Evaluation Results and Prepare for an IEP Eligibility Meeting
5. What Do all These IEP Scores Mean, Anyway? How to Understand IEP Evaluations.
6. IEEs or Independent Education Evaluations: When, Why and How to Request One
7. IEP Re-Evaluations: Timeline, Process, Checklist
8. Can a School District Refuse to Evaluate a Child for Special Education?
9. When should I receive a Draft Copy of the IEP or Evaluations?
10. Why a Doctor’s Note is not the IEP Slam Dunk you Think it is.
11. Why IEP Present Levels Matter Most: What Parents Should Look for in Their Child’s IEP
12. Understanding IEP Eligibility | A Guide for Parents
13. What Are the 14 IDEA Disability Categories? Does it Matter Which Box is Checked?
14. What is an FBA in Special Education? Is it part of an IEP?
15. What is SLD Specific Learning Disability on an IEP?

Once the evaluations have been done and the present levels section has been written, the team develops IEP goals from that information. So, if your goals are terrible, it’s probably because something went awry with evaluations or present levels.

Developing IEP Goals

Writing a solid set of IEP goals is part art, part science. The team should be using the baseline information in Present Levels.

1. How to Write an IEP Goal (that is Meaningful and Measurable!)
2. SMART IEP Goals: Examples, Worksheets and Templates
3. All About IEP Goals | Parent FAQs, answered.
4. What’s the Difference Between Goals and Objectives on an IEP?
5. Choosing IEP Goals: Who Gets to Decide?
6. What Matters More–IEP Goals or IEP Grades?
7. How long is a benchmark goal on an IEP?
8. And, get ideas for IEP goals with our comprehensive IEP Goal Bank.

IEP Interventions

I get this question often: What can I ask for on my IEP? Usually parents are talking about what supports or interventions they can ask for. There’s no simple answer and I have hundreds of resources on this site. These articles and suggestions are presented in no specific order, because it will be different for every family.

1. Free Printable List of IEP and 504 Accommodations for Disabled Students (PDF)
2. How to Get ABA Therapy in your IEP (and making sure it’s not harmful!)
3. Ask an Advocate: How come SDIs never get taken off IEPs?
4. What Qualifies a Student for a 1:1 Aide? How to Get a Paraprofessional for a Child.
5. Shortened School Days for Disabled Students: How and When to Implement this Accommodation.
6. What’s the Difference between IEP Accommodations and Modifications? (with examples!)
7. What IEP Parents Need to Know about Community Based Instruction (CBI)
8. What can I ask for on my child’s IEP? And how do I get my team to agree?
9. What are IEP Related Services in Special Education
10. Does my child have to ride the Special Ed Bus to get Transportation on our IEP or 504?
11. What is Specially Designed Instruction in Special Education? | Examples
12. 20 Common Reading Intervention Programs for Schools (+how to get one on your IEP)
13. 10 Research-Based Vocabulary Interventions for an IEP or RTI/MTSS

IEP Placement

Most parents look to their child’s placement first. But, it’s actually the last decision made in the IEP process.

1. How to Get an Out-of-District Placement (IEP and Special Education)
2. How to Request Homebound IEP Placement or IEP Homebound Instruction
3. Wrong Placement? Special Education Placement, explained by a Parent Advocate.
4. IEP Unilateral Placement | What is it? How do I do it?
5. IEP Predetermination: How to Spot It and What You Can Do About It
6. What is a Self Contained Classroom? And should my child be in one?
7. What does LRE stand for in Special Education? | Least Restrictive Environment Continuum, explained.
8. What is a Life Skills Classroom? Is it the Same as a Resource Room?
9. Maybe the Most Important IEP–>Preschool IEP to Kindergarten IEP.
10. What is SDC in Special Education? A Simple Guide to Special Day Class, for Parents.

Your IEP Going Forward

Once all of these steps have been completed, you’ve met as a team for your IEP meeting, it’s time to implement and monitor your child’s progress. I have a lot more information on both of these topics, but here are some highlights to get you started.

1. How to Write an IEP
2. IEP Progress Monitoring: A Guide for Parents and Teachers | Examples
3. Yes! Parental Consent is Required to Change an IEP.
4. Special Factors in the IEP | Parent and Team Considerations
5. Extended School Year (ESY): Myths and Facts Explained to Parents by an Advocate

Your IEP Meeting

1. What is an IEP Team? Who are the required IEP Team Members?
2. 20 Do’s and Don’ts for an IEP Meeting (especially if it’s tomorrow!)
3. What is an IEP Meeting?
4. 35 Common IEP Meeting FAQs, Answered by a Special Education Advocate
5. How to Effectively Prepare for an IEP Meeting.
6. IEP Meeting Checklist for Parents (Free PDF)
7. How to Not Cry at your IEP Meeting.
8. Who Attends an IEP meeting? Can I Exclude People?
9. 7 Things you Never Want to Hear at an IEP Meeting.
10. Why IEP Parents Should Never Agree to the “Let’s just Wait and See”
11. Who or what is an LEA Representative at an IEP Meeting?
12. What to Expect at Your IEP Meeting
13. After the IEP Meeting: What Happens Next?

General Advocacy Tips for Parents

1. How to Have Meaningful Parent Participation in the IEP Process (IDEA Parent Participation)
2. PWN in Special Education: The little known game-changer in the IEP process.
3. How To Write an IEP Parent Concerns Letter that Gets Results (Examples)
4. What is FAPE? Understanding This Parental Right in Special Education.
5. 5 Times when Parents MUST Write to their IEP Team.
6. What are your IEP Parents Rights? They’re in that booklet no one reads.
7. Is Your IEP Not Being Followed? 12 Options for Parents if Your School is Not Following the IEP
8. Did your IEP Team Put you on a Parent Communication Plan? Yes, they can do that.
9. What to Do When Your IEP Team Says, “We Don’t Do That Here.”

You can also read: Your Big Picture Guide to the Entire IEP Process: A Step by Step Walkthrough

That should be plenty to get you started on a better IEP journey. As I said, there are currently over 800 different articles on this site, so you can always search if you need more information.