E9: The IEP Meeting Pathway: Breaking the Special Education Process into Manageable Stages

Parents Guide to Advocacy: Navigating the Special Education System with Confidence

In this episode, we dive into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting pathway, breaking down the special education process into manageable stages to ensure parents and educators can better understand and navigate each step. The key stages discussed include the initial referral, evaluations and assessments, eligibility determination, IEP development, implementation, and periodic reviews.

Resources:

Article: 10 smart responses for when the school cuts or denies services

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/10-smart-responses-for-when-the-school-cuts-or-denies-services

Infographic: Maryland IEP Timelines

https://www.ppmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IEP-Timeline-SPED-1.2021.pdf

00:00 Introduction to Advocacy

00:39 Understanding the Special Education Process

01:19 The Importance of Record Keeping

03:15 Early Identification and Support

05:29 Navigating the IEP Process

06:51 The Screening Meeting

08:09 The Eligibility Meeting

10:23 The IEP Draft Meeting

18:24 Annual Review and Reevaluation

21:55 Conclusion and Resources