The IEP Notebook

By Sue Thompson

Advocates agree that the best way to prepare for an IEP meeting for your child is to bring along an IEP Notebook.

IEP Notebook - #1

Start with the notebook: Large with plastic pocket on front cover (to put your child's picture and name on the front side and a calendar of the school year in the pocket on the back side)

• District and Independent assessments

• Informal correspondence

• Parent/family observations outside of school

• Medical records/ medication logs

• Formal and informal correspondence with all schools

• All of his/her school records, report cards, progress notes, and discipline records

• All IEPs and Notes from all IEP meetings

• Examples of her/his school work

• Logs of contacts with school, and a separate one to show contacts with other professionals outside school environment

• List of involved professionals, student study team members, other resources

• 504 Plan and list of parents' rights (Understand the laws before the meeting)

• List of questions/ideas

• List of your expectations for IEP - Prioritize the long-term goals (which will have the greatest impact for the child?) and short-term objectives

The IEP Notebook #2

Divide the notebook into 11 sections:

• Introduction
• School information
• Important Contacts and Telephone numbers
• IEP meeting information
• Current IEP
• Past IEPs
• Assessments and testing information
• Your legal rights and relevant education laws in effect
• Information on Due Process
• Medical and other vital records
• Important relevant articles
• Glossary of terms

Copyright:   Sue Thompson