Parent Questions
Questions to Consider Before an IEP Meeting
A working list you can pull from — organized by what you are trying to find out.
6 min read · Updated 2026-09-09 · Last reviewed: not yet reviewed
Pick a few, not all of them
This is a menu, not a script. Choose the three or four questions that fit the meeting you are actually going to, and write them on one page you can see.
About how my child is doing
- How is my child doing compared with where they were last year?
- What data are you using to describe that?
- Where does my child seem most comfortable during the day?
- What is my child's biggest strength in your classroom?
About goals
- How was each goal chosen?
- How will progress be measured, and how often?
- What does progress look like if things are going well?
- What happens if a goal is not being met by mid-year?
About services and supports
- What exactly will be provided, how often, and by whom?
- Will the support happen in the classroom or somewhere else?
- How will the general education teachers know about it?
- What happens when the person providing a service is absent?
About accommodations
- Which accommodations are teachers actually using right now?
- How do you check that they are happening?
- Do they apply to tests, homework and classwork?
- What should my child do if an accommodation is not offered?
About evaluations
- What did the evaluation include, and what did it not cover?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
- Which results most influenced the recommendation?
- Are there areas you would want to look at again later?
About next steps
- What are the decisions we are making today?
- Who is responsible for each follow-up, and by when?
- When will we next check in?
- Who should I contact between now and then?
Common questions
- Should I send questions in advance?
- Many parents find it helps. Sending two or three questions ahead of time gives staff a chance to bring the relevant data to the meeting.
- What if I do not understand an answer?
- Ask for it again in plain language. 'Can you explain what that means for my child's day?' is a useful reframing.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: Not yet reviewed. This page is general educational information and is awaiting a factual review against the sources below. Treat specific procedures, timelines and requirements as things to confirm with your school or state education agency.
Sources
Important note
This site provides educational information, organizational tools and printable resources. It is not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, any school district, government agency, attorney, law firm or advocacy organization. For advice about your specific situation, consider consulting a qualified professional.