A free interactive tool for parents
Your IEP meeting prep kit
Walk in calm, organized, and sure of your voice. Tick off your checklist, choose the questions you want answered, learn your rights in plain language, and print a tidy sheet to bring along.
An IEP meeting can feel like a lot. This kit does the remembering for you. Everything you check or type is saved right here in your browser, on your device only, so you can come back to it. Nothing is sent to us. When you are ready, print or save it as a one-page sheet to carry into the room.
You have got this. One step at a time.
Who and when
A gentle place to start. These show up on your printed sheet.
Before the meeting
Tick each one off as you go. Add your own at the bottom.
Questions to ask
Check the ones you want to raise. They will print in your sheet so you never lose your train of thought in the room.
Your rights, in plain language
The federal special-education law is called IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Here is what it gives your family, said simply. Rules and timelines vary by state, so confirm the specifics with the official sources below.
A free, appropriate education
Your child has the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) designed for their individual needs, at no cost to you.
You are an equal team member
You are a full member of the IEP team. Your knowledge of your child counts, and the plan should be built with you, not just shown to you.
Notice before changes
The school must give you prior written notice before it proposes or refuses to change your child's identification, evaluation, placement, or services.
Your informed consent
The school needs your informed, written consent before its first evaluation of your child and before starting special education services for the first time.
The least restrictive setting
Your child has the right to learn alongside peers without disabilities as much as is appropriate for them, known as the least restrictive environment (LRE).
See your child's records
You have the right to look at and get copies of your child's education records, so you can prepare with the same information the team has.
A second-opinion evaluation
If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you can request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) and ask whether it can be at public expense.
A copy of your safeguards
You are entitled to a written summary of your procedural safeguards, the full list of your rights and the steps to protect them.
The right to disagree
You do not have to agree on the spot. You can take time, ask to reconvene, and use options like mediation or a due process complaint if needed.
Regular review
The IEP is reviewed at least once a year, and you can ask for a meeting to revisit it sooner if something is not working for your child.
Confirm what applies where you live: the U.S. Department of Education's IDEA site, and your federally funded Parent Center, which offers free, one-on-one guidance to families. Teagan's Crown is not affiliated with these organizations, and this is general information, not legal advice.
My notes
Priorities, worries, wins to celebrate, things you want to say out loud. Whatever helps you feel ready. This saves as you type.
Good to know
A few honest answers.
What is an IEP meeting?
An IEP meeting is where you and your child's school team review and agree on your child's Individualized Education Program, the written plan that spells out their goals, the special education and related services they will receive, and the supports and accommodations that go with them.
Under the federal law known as IDEA, you are a full and equal member of that team, and the meeting is meant to be a conversation, not a form handed to you to sign.
How should I prepare for my child's IEP meeting?
Ask for a draft IEP and recent evaluations ahead of time, review last year's goals and note what worked, and write down your child's strengths along with your top priorities for the year. Prepare a short list of questions you want answered and decide who you want with you.
This free prep kit gives you a checklist, suggested questions, and a notes area so you can walk in organized and calm, then print or save everything to bring along.
Is this kit free, and is my information private?
Yes, it is completely free. Everything you type stays on your own device in your browser and is never sent to Teagan's Crown or anyone else. Your checklist, questions, and notes are saved locally so you can come back later, and you can clear them at any time with the reset button.
For privacy, clear the kit when you finish on a shared or public computer.
What are my rights under IDEA at an IEP meeting?
In plain terms, IDEA gives your child the right to a free appropriate public education, makes you an equal member of the IEP team, and requires the school to give you written notice before changing your child's services and to get your informed consent for evaluations and initial services.
You also have the right to see your child's records, to request an independent educational evaluation, to receive a copy of your procedural safeguards, and to disagree and use options like mediation. Because the details vary by state, always confirm specifics with your state education agency or your federally funded Parent Center.
Can I bring someone with me to the meeting?
Yes. You can bring anyone whose presence helps you, such as a co-parent, a trusted friend, a family member, or an advocate who knows your child or the process. Many parents find that a second set of ears helps them stay focused and take good notes.
You can also ask questions, request time to think, and reconvene later if you need to. You do not have to sign anything the same day if you are not ready.
Be that someone
Every child wears a crown.
Teagan's Crown shows up in the gap for children with special needs and the families who fight for them. Your gift helps us keep tools like this free and put real help in real hands.
Teagan's Crown is a nonprofit for children with special needs and their families. 501(c)(3) status in progress. This tool offers general information, not legal or medical advice.