Parent participation
Parents have the right to take part in IEP meetings. Schools are expected to tell parents about meetings early and schedule them at a time and place both agree on, and to give parents a free copy of the IEP.
If a parent cannot attend in person, federal rules say the school should use other methods to help the parent take part. Federal rules also address when a meeting may be held without a parent (300.322(d)); that detail is not summarized here.
Also called: parent participation, parent input, attending IEP meetings, meaningful participation
Sources
- 34 CFR 300.322 (300.322(a)(2))U.S. Department of Education
“Scheduling the meeting at a mutually agreed on time and place.”
- 34 CFR 300.322 (300.322(c))U.S. Department of Education
“Other methods to ensure parent participation.”
- 34 CFR 300.322 (300.322(f))U.S. Department of Education
“The public agency must give the parent a copy of the child's IEP at no cost to the parent.”
- 34 CFR 300.322 (300.322(a)(1))U.S. Department of Education
“Notifying parents of the meeting early enough to ensure that they will have an opportunity to attend”