How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting in New Jersey

IEP meetings are where accommodations and services get decided for the coming year. Parents who go in prepared leave with plans that actually match their child's needs. Parents who do not often leave with boilerplate.

Before the Meeting

Request a draft of the IEP in advance — New Jersey parents have the right to review proposed changes before the meeting. Re-read the most recent evaluation report. Make a written list of your top three concerns and your top three hoped-for outcomes. Gather examples — specific homework, test scores, or incidents — that illustrate the issues.

Who Attends

At minimum: you, a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a district representative, and someone who can interpret evaluation data. You can invite your child's therapist, tutor, pediatrician, or an advocate. An independent evaluator can attend to present their findings directly.

During the Meeting

Come back to your written list. Ask for specifics: "When you say 'small group instruction,' how many students and how often?" Request that goals be measurable. Do not sign the IEP in the meeting if you want time to review. You can request a follow-up.

After the Meeting

Review the finalized IEP carefully. If something does not match what was discussed, email the case manager in writing. Keep a paper trail. Track progress over the next quarter — that record matters for the next meeting.

When to Bring a Psychologist

Having the psychologist who evaluated your child attend the IEP meeting shifts the dynamic significantly. Fort Lee Psych attends IEP and 504 meetings for Bergen County families as part of the evaluation service.