Your Student’s IEP Team Members

Team Member

Roles

Parent / Guardian

You have valuable knowledge about your child’s strengths, struggles, and goals. You can describe what is and isn’t working.  By law, you have a say in your child’s education.

Special Education IEP Facilitator

This person facilitates the conversations surrounding all IEP topics.  They draft and finalize all IEP paperwork.  

Special education teachers

This teacher offers input on what your child needs to thrive in the general education classroom. Suggestions may include how to modify instruction or offer accommodations for your child’s needs.  They often are also the Specially Designed Instruction providers for your student so will share information on how the student is progressing on their goals.

General education teachers

This person knows how your child is doing in the classroom and with the general education curriculum.

School district representative:

The IEP must include a representative who has the power to approve school resources for your child. This person must be qualified to provide or supervise special education services.  Usually a building or district administrator.

School Psychologist / Evaluation Specialist

An expert who can interpret your child’s evaluation results. This could be a member of the team already, like the special education teacher. Or it could be another person, like a school psychologist.

Your child

Your child will be included on the team at age 16. Kids can self-advocate and help develop their transition plan.

Translator / Interpreter

The school must provide an interpreter if you need one. Let the school know in advance so it has time to make these arrangements.

Other District and Regional Support Staff

Depending on your student’s individual needs, there may be other district staff who are part of the IEP team.  Speech Language Pathologists, School Counselors, Deans of Students, Behavior Specialists, Occupational & Physical Therapists, or other staff who either service Specially Designed Instruction and/or consultation to your student or who can provide information about your student’s strengths, growth areas, and progress may also be invited to be a part of our student’s IEP team.

Additional IEP team members you can invite

Parent advocate

You can bring a parent advocate to help you. Schools aren’t required to provide a parent advocate, but they might be able to help you locate one.

A friend

Some parents bring a friend to help take notes or to provide emotional support.