By Payton Aldridge
Navigating the special education system can be overwhelming for many families. There’s a lot of unfamiliar terminology, meetings filled with professionals and decisions that directly affect your child’s education. It can sometimes feel like everyone else in the room understands what’s happening – except you.
But it’s important to remember that you are a vital part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and your voice matters.
The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act is the federal law that protects students with disabilities. It states that parents are equal partners in every step of the process. With the right information and guidance, you can confidently advocate for your child and help shape the services and accommodations they receive in school.
Payton Aldridge is a special education attorney with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Parents learn that they play a vital role on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team as they navigate the often complex special education process.
How the IEP process begins
The process often starts when someone notices that a student may need additional support – this could be a parent, teacher, doctor or another school professional. A request is then made for the student to be evaluated for special education services.
This evaluation may include:
Classroom observations
Academic assessments
Medical or psychological evaluations
Input from teachers and caregivers
After the evaluation, the team meets to decide if the student qualifies for an IEP. This legal document outlines:
Your child’s disability
Their strengths and needs
Educational goals
Services and support they will receive
The type of learning environment they need to succeed
There is also a section specifically for parental input. This is your opportunity to express your concerns, priorities and observations. Your perspective is necessary since you know your child best.
Your role as a parent
As a parent, you bring valuable insight to the team. You understand your child’s personality, challenges, what motivates them and where they need extra support. Even if professionals disagree with your viewpoint, they are legally required to consider what you have to say.
If English is not your first language, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing, the school must provide an interpreter at IEP meetings so you can fully participate.
Open communication helps the school tailor support to your child’s needs – and that can make a real difference in their progress.
Reviewing and updating the IEP
The IEP team meets every year to review the plan and make updates. Your child will also be reevaluated at least every three years. However, as a parent, you don’t need to wait for these scheduled meetings. If you notice new challenges or have concerns, you have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time.
Children change and grow – and sometimes their needs change, too. Staying engaged and communicating regularly with the school helps ensure that the plan remains effective.
Progress matters
During IEP meetings, you’ll hear discussions about your child’s progress. This includes:
Academic learning
Social skills
Emotional and behavioral development
Communication skills
The law is clear: minimal progress is not enough. Schools are required to provide the support necessary for your child to make meaningful progress based on their individual needs.
Least restrictive environment
Every IEP meeting must also consider where your child will learn. By law, students with disabilities must be taught in the Least Restrictive Environment – meaning they should learn alongside their peers without disabilities as much as possible. This is meant to prevent unnecessary isolation.
What to do when you don’t agree
Disagreements are normal. You may hear recommendations from the school that differ from what you’ve seen at home or what outside professionals have advised. When this happens:
Ask questions
Request explanations in writing
Review documents before the meeting (you must receive them at least five days in advance)
Take notes
Most importantly, document everything.
If decisions are made that you disagree with, you can say: Please document any disagreement in the prior written notice. This ensures your concerns are formally recorded.
When to seek support
If you feel unheard or unsure how to move forward, you can invite someone with knowledge of your child or the process to join the meeting. This may be:
A family advocate
A community support person
Or, if the disagreements become serious, an attorney who specializes in special education law
Asking for help is a step toward ensuring your child receives the education and opportunities they deserve.
Remember
You are not just part of the IEP team. You are your child’s strongest advocate.
Your voice, your perspective and your involvement make a meaningful difference in your child’s education and future.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.
