The PWN is used each time the team is proposing or rejecting something. The PWN is not only used when sending a new IEP or evaluation plan or report. The PWN is also used when an IEP amendment is written or when something is requested (by the school or parent/guardian) and the request was refused (by school or parent/guardian).

The PWN is a summary of the meeting held in which the new IEP or amendment shows changes made. It is very common to forget to capture all of the discussion that occurs during an IEP meeting, especially when ideas are offered and sometimes are rejected during the meeting (for whatever reason). The PWN should include these ideas that were considered and refused and why. If that idea/option was refused, it will not be on the IEP - the PWN documents the decision making process and keeps track of those ideas/options a team considered.