How to be prepared for your child’s annual review

It is nearly annual review time!!! Annual reviews are a quick review of your child’s academic and social/emotional progress. Meetings take place in the classroom or in a small room in the school building. And, usually, you are not given too much time to review and discuss because you are one of many meetings for the day.

The quick answer is not to panic. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your child’s annual meeting?

REVIEW: Review, Review, Review. Look over your child’s IEP and highlight both good and bad. What do you feel has been accomplished and can be removed as a goal. What do you feel still needs to be worked on? Are there new accomodations that may be needed? Or some that can be taken away? Do you need any further evaluations such as Assistive Technology evaluation?

REFLECT: After reviewing, reflect on what you feel should be part of the IEP for the next school year. What are your goals for your child? Bring questions and your thoughts about what you feel the new IEP can address. Be specific with your questions.

BE ON TIME: Sounds, silly, but show up for the meeting. If life gets in the way, and you need to cancel, cancel the meeting. Remember, meetings can always be rescheduled. This annual review is for the next school year, not for this school year. Although the school will insist that the meeting take place and that you can do the meeting via the phone, stay firm and reschedule.

BE PRESENT: And, finally, be present at the meeting. Put away phones or other distractions. Your concerns are important and you are a valued member of the team. Ask questions, ask for clarification and ask your child’s teacher to show where there continues to be deficits and where there are improvements.

FINALLY: Remember that the IEP, as a document, is a wonderful way to show how your child is meeting bench marks. Take pride in all parts of your child. He/she is working hard everyday to learn to the best of their ability.