IEP meeting

What It Means

An IEPIEPAn IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the written plan a public school makes for a child who qualifies for special education under IDEA. See more meeting is a meeting of a child's IEP team to write, review or revise the child's Individualized Education Program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The team includes the child's parents, at least one of the child's regular education teachers if the child is or may be in regular classes, and at least one special education teacher or provider. A first meeting happens within 30 calendar days of the eligibility decision, and the team reviews the plan at least once a year after that.

How Parents Say It

• "The IEP meeting is Thursday at 3."
• "Should I bring her speech therapist to the IEP meeting?"
• "We asked for an IEP meeting before the annual one."

The Breakdown

What the rule says. Under 34 CFR 300.322, the school must take steps so that one or both parents can attend each IEP meeting or otherwise take part. That includes telling parents about the meeting early enough that they can come, and scheduling it at a time and place both sides agree on. The school may hold the meeting without a parent only when it can't convince the parents to attend, and then it has to keep records of its attempts, such as phone calls, letters and home or work visits.

Who sits on the team (34 CFR 300.321)

The regulation lists the rest of the required team, so read 300.321 for the full roster.

When meetings happen

• Within 30 calendar days of the decision that the child is eligible.
• At least once a year to review the IEP.
• Whenever the parents or the school ask for one to revise the plan.

Documents to bring. The current IEP or the latest evaluation report, recent report cardsReport card(1) The school's periodic report of a student's grades to parents; (2) the yearly public report on school and district results that ESSA requires states and districts to publish. See more and work samples, your notes on how your child is doing at home, and a written list of questions.

Official source. 34 CFR 300.321 and 300.322 on the U.S. Department of Education's IDEA website, as checked September 30, 2026.

Good to Know

If the proposed time doesn't work for you, tell the school. The regulation asks the school to notify you early enough to attend and to schedule the meeting at a mutually agreed time and place. When you can't be there in person, ask how else you can take part. The U.S. Department of Education's guide also notes that parents don't have to wait for the yearly review: either side can ask for a meeting to revise the IEP.

Related Terms and Categories

• IEP

  An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the written plan a public school makes for a child who qualifies for special education under IDEA.

• 504 plan

  A school's plan of supports for a student whose disability substantially limits a major life activity, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

• Least restrictive environment

  The IDEA rule that children with disabilities learn with children without disabilities as much as appropriate, and leave regular classes only when needed.

• Parent-teacher conference

  A short scheduled meeting between a parent and a child's teacher to talk about how the child is doing in school and how to help at home.

• Evaluation request

  A request, usually from a parent, that the public school evaluate a child for a disability and special education services under IDEA.

School and education for parents