Culturally Responsive IEPs: A Guide for Families
By: Rachel Nicholson, Advocate
Going through an IEP can feel overwhelming, especially if your family’s language or culture isn’t fully reflected in or by the school system. Every child deserves an education that meets their unique needs, and every parent deserves to be fully informed and included. Here’s what families should know about culturally responsive IEPs and how to take an active role.
Language Access is Your Right
If English isn’t your first language or you aren't comfortable communicating in English, you are entitled to support. You should receive translated documents like IEPs, evaluation reports, and meeting notices with enough time to prepare for meetings. You should also have an interpreter at all meetings. You don’t need to explain or justify your request as this is your legal right.
If your child’s first language is not English, you have the right to request that all assessments and evaluations be conducted in your child’s primary language whenever possible. This is important because a child’s performance on evaluations can be influenced by their English language skills and not just their abilities as assessed by those specific assessments.
Cultural Norms Matter
Schools don’t always know about every family’s cultural practices and while they should proactively educate themselves, this does not always occur. It's important for families and teams that these differences often affect communication, routines, and expectations. For example, in some cultures, avoiding direct eye contact is a sign of respect, while in others, eye contact is expected. Families may also have different ways of organizing routines or expressing concerns. Sharing these details with the school helps create an IEP that is respectful and effective for your child. Please make sure to share family and cultural traditions and norms with teams during social history interviews and IEP meetings.
Your Rights as a Parent
You have the right to attend all IEP meetings, review your child’s educational records, share information about your child as a participating team member, give or withhold consent for services, and bring an advocate for support. Understanding these rights helps you speak up confidently and make sure the IEP reflects your child’s needs. We are always here to support you through the process and make sure your voices are heard.
Proactive Steps Families Can Take
Request an interpreter for meetings before the meeting date and translations of all IEP documents. You can and should ask for a draft IEP and all reports ahead of the meeting to prepare.
Request translations for evaluations for your child if they are multi-lingual
Share your family’s cultural practices and routines with the team, especially anything that affects learning or communication.
Ask the school to explain assessments, goals, and recommendations in plain language.
Keep notes or a folder with emails, reports, and meeting summaries to track progress and decisions.
Prepare questions ahead of time. Think about what matters most for your child’s success, such as specific learning strategies, behavioral supports, or accommodations for cultural practices.
Speak up if something doesn’t feel right. You can always ask for another meeting, request clarification, or bring an advocate.
Being proactive helps ensure the IEP is a comprehensive plan that supports your whole child. Families who share their culture, ask questions, and know their rights help schools better understand their children and create stronger partnerships.
Remember, you know your child best. The more you share, ask, and document, the more likely the IEP will truly reflect your child’s strengths, needs, and cultural background.
