• Parents. Parents are equal partners with the school staff on the IEP team. 

• The child. When the team plans for life after high school and at other times, if appropriate. 

• An LEA (school district) representative. A person from the school district who can make sure your child gets the IEP services. 

• The child’s regular education teacher. 

• The child’s special education teacher. 

• Someone who can explain the tests your child took. 

• For an older child, someone from each agency that will provide services to prepare the child for life after high school. 

• Other people invited by you or by the school. 

Sometimes one person does more than one job on the team. A person may be excused from all or part of the meeting if you agree in writing.

You are an equal partner on the IEP team along with the teachers. You are an expert about your child, speak up! The rest of the team needs your ideas. 

At the meeting, the team will talk about all the information. This includes what you have told the team. The team will decide if your child has a disability and if special education is needed. Then the team will write an evaluation report. You will get a copy of the report. If your child is not eligible for special education, the school will tell you in writing. 

If your child will get special education, the team writes an IEP. When the IEP is finished, the team decides where your child will receive special education  services. The team decides based on the IEP. 

Sometimes the IEP team can do all of its work in one meeting. Sometimes it takes more than one meeting. You may want to take a break before planning your child’s program. You may need time to read the reports. You may need time to talk to others about what the team decided. Ask the IEP team to wait if you need some time. The school will hold another meeting to finish if they can do it within the time lines.