Why Parents Should Read Every Page of the IEP

By: Dr. Gabrielle Baker, President & Advocate

For many parents, receiving a finalized Individualized Education Program (IEP) after a meeting brings a sense of relief. The meeting is over, everyone seemed to agree, and the plan is finally complete.

It's tempting to file the document away and move on.

But one of the biggest mistakes parents can make is assuming the written IEP matches everything that was discussed during the meeting.

The IEP is the legally binding document that guides your child's special education services. If something is missing, inaccurate, or unclear, it can affect the services your child receives for the entire school year.

That's why it's so important to read every single page.

The IEP Is More Than Goals and Services

Many parents focus only on the goals or the service page. While those sections are important, every part of the IEP matters.

Each section tells part of your child's educational story and helps explain why certain services, accommodations, and supports are necessary.

Skipping sections can mean overlooking important details that may create problems later.

Start With the Present Levels

The Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) describe where your child is today.

Ask yourself:

• Is this an accurate picture of my child?

• Does it include both strengths and areas of need?

• Does it reflect current data?

• Are concerns I shared during the meeting included?

If the present levels are incomplete or inaccurate, everything that follows may also be affected.

Check Every Accommodation

Read each accommodation carefully.

Ask:

• Is every agreed-upon accommodation included?

• Is the wording clear enough for staff to implement consistently?

• Are accommodations listed for both classroom instruction and testing when appropriate?

• Have any accommodations from previous years been removed?

Small wording changes can make a big difference in how an accommodation is implemented.

Review the Service Minutes

Don't just glance at the number of minutes.

Verify:

• The amount of service

• The frequency

• The location

• Whether services are provided individually or in a group

• Who is responsible for providing the service

Make sure the written services match what the team discussed during the meeting.

Read Every Goal

Each goal should be measurable and clearly written.

Ask yourself:

• Is the goal specific?

• How will progress be measured?

• Does it address one of my child's identified needs?

• Is the goal challenging but achievable?

If you can't tell whether your child is making progress by reading the goal, it may need revision.

Don't Skip the Fine Print

Many parents overlook sections covering:

• Transportation

• State and district testing

• Extended School Year (ESY)

• Assistive technology

• Behavior supports

• Transition planning (when applicable)

• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

These sections often contain important decisions that affect your child's educational program.

Compare the IEP to Your Meeting Notes

One of the best ways to review an IEP is to compare it to your own notes from the meeting.

Ask:

• Was everything the team agreed to actually included?

• Were any decisions changed?

• Was anything added that wasn't discussed?

• Were parent concerns accurately documented?

Unfortunately, mistakes can happen. Sometimes sections are accidentally omitted, copied from a previous IEP, or revised after the meeting.

Reviewing the final document helps catch these issues before they affect your child.

Make Sure Parent Concerns Are Included

Your input is an important part of the IEP process.

If you raised concerns during the meeting, check to see whether they are reflected in the document.

Even if the team disagreed with your recommendations, your concerns should be documented as part of the discussion.

Look for Missing Information

As you review the IEP, ask yourself:

• Does every identified need have a corresponding goal or support?

• Are all related services included?

• Are behavior supports described clearly?

• Are accommodations consistent throughout the document?

• Are dates, service minutes, and eligibility information accurate?

Even small errors can create confusion when staff begin implementing the plan.

Ask Questions If Something Doesn't Look Right

You don't have to accept an IEP simply because the meeting has ended.

If you notice missing information, inaccurate statements, or wording that doesn't reflect what was discussed, contact the school as soon as possible.

Many concerns can be resolved quickly through clarification or an amendment meeting.

The IEP Is Your Child's Roadmap

An IEP is more than paperwork. It serves as the roadmap for your child's special education program and the document school staff rely on when making decisions about instruction, accommodations, and services.

Taking the time to carefully review every page can help prevent misunderstandings, identify errors early, and ensure your child receives the supports the team intended.

If you're unsure whether your child's IEP accurately reflects their needs, consider having it reviewed by an educational advocate. A second set of experienced eyes can often identify issues that are easy to miss but important to address.