Parents are not simply observers in the Individualized Education Program process; federal special education law makes them members of the team responsible for important decisions about their child. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must give parents meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions involving identification, evaluation, educational placement, and the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). That does not mean parents have unilateral veto power over every school decision, but significant IEP changes generally require an appropriate team process, notice, or parent agreement depending on the circumstances.
Understanding IEP parent participation can help families recognize when a routine classroom adjustment becomes a decision affecting the written program. Here are six changes parents should watch closely and questions they can ask when something does not match the current IEP.
