--- title: What to bring to an IEP meeting description: Want to make sure that you come prepared to your child’s IEP meeting? This checklist outlines everything you need to bring. slug: what-to-bring-to-an-iep-meeting author: Amanda Morin published: '2019-08-06T21:58:04.846Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/68719505C4A645C0932328860FFFD633/145aca1e24b217232d384dfa2757e3e3/CAI017557.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-to-bring-to-an-iep-meeting lang: en --- # What to bring to an IEP meeting Whether it’s your [first IEP meeting](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-to-expect-at-an-iep-eligibility-meeting) or your fifth, the experience can be stressful. Do you remember everything you want to say? How do you keep track of all the decisions and discussions? Do you have all the relevant information with you? Making sure you’re prepared and remembering to bring everything you need to an [IEP meeting](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-iep-meeting-an-overview) can ease some of that stress. You may want to consider [creating an IEP binder](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-organize-your-childs-iep-binder) to keep all your paperwork in one place. But you can also use this handy checklist to get organized for your next IEP meeting. Here are some things you may want to prepare and take to the meeting. - Your [IEP binder](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-iep-binder-checklist) - A notepad and pen to take notes - Your partner, an [advocate](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-special-education-advocates-and-attorneys), or a friend to take notes and support you (make sure the IEP team knows in advance) - An audio recorder or smartphone recording app if you’ll be recording the meeting (check with the [Parent Training and Information Center](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/parent-training-centers-a-free-resource) in your state about laws and policies about recording meetings) - The current IEP plan - A [list of questions](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/questions-to-ask-before-and-during-your-childs-iep-meeting) you want to address - An [IEP goal progress tracker](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-iep-goal-tracker), progress reports, and report cards - Work samples that illustrate progress or concerns - Notes about strategies that do or don’t seem to be working at home - Proposed accommodations and suggested [SMART goals](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-tell-if-your-childs-iep-goals-are-smart) - Any [private evaluations](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/outside-evaluations-the-difference-between-private-and-independent) you want to share - Reports from your child’s most recent school evaluation(s) - [Parent-school communication log](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-school-communication-log) or other notes about phone calls, meetings, or emails to or from school - [School contact sheet](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-contact-list-for-who-to-call-at-your-childs-school) to update with new provider information - A letter of parent concerns to attach to the IEP that lists your child’s strengths, areas that are challenging, how your child is doing in and feeling about school, and other things you’d like noted - A folder to keep documents received during the meeting — be sure to request a copy of any documents you sign during the meeting - Tissues (IEP meetings can sometimes be emotional) - A bottle of water (nerves and talking can make your mouth dry) - A [collaborative mindset](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/10-defusing-phrases-to-use-at-iep-meetings) Being prepared for an IEP meeting can make the experience easier. It can also help to hear stories and tips from other parents who’ve been there. Explore this collection of [IEP personal stories](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/iep-personal-stories), including one from [a mom who felt more at ease](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/someone-on-my-side-of-the-iep-table) when she brought her own team of “advisors” to a meeting. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [IEP Meeting Checklist](https://cdn-assets.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/483f3d1f53ae453d83d82db206257e20_en-US/cd777466a6335bd15534d512bb73234e/Checklist__What_to_Bring_to_an_IEP_MeetingEng.pdf) - What to Bring to an IEP Meeting Your IEP binder A notepad and pen to take notes Your partner, an advocate or a friend to take notes and support you \(make sure the IEP team knows in advance\) An audio recorder or smartphone recording app if youll be recording the meeting \(check with your - [5 things to do before an IEP meeting](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/5-important-things-to-do-before-an-iep-meeting) - Preparation is the key to being an effective, confident advocate at your childs IEP meetings. Here are five important things to do before an IEP meeting. 1. Pull and review your records. Pull out your copies of official documents, including your childs current IEP, recent progress reports, and repor - [10 tips for a better IEP meeting](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/iep-meeting-tips) - Getting ready for your next IEP meeting? Watch this video or read the transcript as an expert from Understood counts down our top tips for meeting with your child’s IEP team. --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-to-bring-to-an-iep-meeting#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-to-bring-to-an-iep-meeting","description":"Want to make sure that you come prepared to your child’s IEP meeting? 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