IEPIndividualized education program

The annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting provides opportunities to define learning goals and challenges for the coming year.

Planning for the Future

If you are age 14 or older and have an IEP, your IEP must include goals for education and training, as well as employment, for after high school. This is called the Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP).

The plan will focus on where you want to live, jobs you want to do, and things you want to do after high school. Important stuff!

This page will help you prepare for IEP meetings and connect with other resources to get ready for the future.

IEP Meetings

Check out some tips on how to prepare for the IEP meeting.

For Teens

Before the Meeting

Remember, your IEP is about helping you achieve your goals.

Ask you teacher for a copy of your current IEP. Think about the following questions before the meeting. Write down some of your ideas or questions.

How are you doing in school now?
What activities are you involved in?
What are your strengths and interests?
Do you have any concerns or worries?
What do you enjoy doing things with your friends?
Where do you want to live after high school?
Can you take care of yourself?
How does your disability affect your learning and participation in school?

During the Meeting

Your participation is important! Make sure to listen to all opinions and share yours too. It's okay to ask questions.

Speak up and be specific in your hopes, challenges, and goals. What is written in this new IEP will be the foundation for the year to come.

After the Meeting

An IEP is more than a long document. It is the guide that the IEP team follows throughout the year. Your teachers will be checking in to tell you how things are going and checking in on goals throughout the year. It’s also possible for you to ask to meet to talk about the IEP or make changes to the plan.

IEP Resource

For more tips on planning for an IEP meeting, see our Teen IEP Resource Guide for teens:

For Parents and Families

here are some ways you can prepare for an IEP meeting:

Before the Meeting

Looking over the previous IEP document (if you have one) will give you a good perspective on the achievements you have seen in your child and the areas that you are still concerned.

Make notes, and feel free to read from your notes in the meeting. The insights that you and your child bring into the room are an important part of the process.
If you are able, schedule a time to join your child’s classroom and observe what is going on.

During the Meeting

Your participation is important! Make sure to listen to all perspectives about you or your child and give your own input. When everyone in the room is clear about their thoughts and ideas, this can be a productive and exciting conversation.

Speak up and be specific in your hopes, challenges, and goals. What is written in this new IEP will be the foundation for the year to come.

After the Meeting

An IEP is more than a long document. It is the guide that the IEP team follows throughout the year. Teachers will be checking in to tell you how things are going and checking in on goals throughout the year. It’s also possible for you to ask to meet to talk about the IEP or make changes to the plan.

IEP Resource

For more tips on planning for an IEP meeting, see our Parent IEP Resource Guide for teens:

IEPIndividualized education program

IEP Meetings

More Resources