If your child is receiving special education services, he or she must have a written plan known as an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP lists, among other things, annual goals and objectives for your child and the special education services that he or she will receive. You are a member of the team that writes your child's IEP. As an IEP team member, you can ask that your child's IEP be reviewed and revised, if needed.
Why might I ask for a review of my child's IEP?
Some reasons for requesting an IEP review include:
- Your child has met one, or several, of the goals written in the IEP and you want to add new goals.
- Your child does not seem to be making enough progress toward one, or several, of the goals written in IEP.
- You feel your child needs more services or other services in order to make progress.
- You feel that your child no longer needs a service he or she is currently receiving.
- Your child has experienced a major change, such as illness, injury, or surgery.
- Your child is starting to demonstrate challenging behaviors in the classroom or is getting in trouble at school.
You can send the following sample letter by email or by mail
Sample Letter
Date (include month, day, and year)
Name of Your Child's Special Education Teacher or Principal
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear (Teacher's or Principal's Name),
I am writing to request an IEP review meeting. I would like to discuss making some possible changes in (child's name)'s IEP. I am concerned about (state your reasons, but limit discussion about the specific changes you want to make because you will want to hear the school's position at the meeting).
I would also like to have (names of specialists or other staff) attend because (his/her/their) ideas about the changes we may need to make will be valuable.
I can arrange to meet with you and the other members of the IEP team on (list days you are available) between (give a range of time, such as between 2:00 and 4:00). Please let me know what time would be best for you.
I look forward to hearing from you within five school days of the date you receive this letter. My daytime telephone number is (give your phone number). Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number
cc: specialists or other staff