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Facilitated IEP Meetings
A facilitated IEP meeting is an IEP meeting with a neutral facilitator. The facilitator helps the team communicate, stay focused, work through disagreements, and follow the IEP process. The facilitator is there to help the team have a productive meeting.
What the facilitator does not do
- Determine eligibility
- Determine services
- Determine placement
- Determine goals
- Determine who is "right"
The facilitator may
- Establish ground rules for communication.
- Make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
- Help identify questions that need to be answered.
- Keep the discussion moving forward.
- Summarize agreements and unresolved issues.
When can a facilitated IEP meeting be helpful?
- When there is a possible history of misunderstanding.
- When the school and parent/guardian are possibly frustrated with one another.
- When past meetings have become emotionally charged.
- When the current meeting is becoming emotionally charged.
- When there is a disagreement regarding services, accommodations, goals, placement, or support.
- When previous meetings ended without resolution.
- When trust between the parent/guardian and school needs to be rebuilt.
A facilitated IEP meeting may prevent
- Multiple IEP meetings.
- Formal complaints from happening.
- Mediation, due process, and attorney involvement.
Who can request a facilitated IEP meeting?
Either the parent/guardian or the school district can request one. In Missouri, you can learn more from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you live outside of Missouri, check your state's Department of Education website — or reach out to The Sped Specialist at info@thespedspecialist.org.
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Get the free guideDr. Mindy A. Gregory, Owner/Founder · The Sped Specialist, LLC