Resolving Disagreements with the IEP Team
When parents have a disagreement with the IEP team or a proposal by the IEP team, they can always request another IEP meeting to discuss their concerns with the team. They may also provide the team with additional information or more specific recommendations to solve the disagreement. If the disagreement is about the proposed IEP, you may give the team input on what you believe should be added, changed or removed in writing. It is helpful to explain why your recommendations are necessary to provide your child with a free appropriate public education and how they support their educational needs. You may also wish to consider having your child’s private therapists or doctors write a letter providing their input to the IEP team. .
You may also provide partial consent to the IEP, meaning that you consent to specific goals/services/etc. The school must implement the portions of the IEP that you have given consent to. IMPORTANT, you must request that the IEP team must meet to resolve the areas you have not provided consent to.
Parents always have the right to request a facilitated IEP meeting or third party discussion led by a moderator, mediation, neutral conference, or file for due process if they cannot come to agreement with the IEP team. Parents can also file a complaint if they believe that one of their or their child’s rights have been viloated. For more information on these options, please contact The Parent Information Center on Special Education for more information.
The Parent Information Center believes in resolving disputes in the least adversarial manner. For information on alternative dispute resolution, please view our information on alternative dispute resolution.