05/15/2026
Let’s discuss 10 of the most COMMON mistakes parents make while going through the IEP process. PARENTS - do not blame yourself for what you don’t or didn’t know - it is the Districts obligation to ensure you are informed and understand your rights.
Let’s get into it:
1. Signing the IEP immediately due to pressure; allowing the team to pressure to sign day of instead of taking the IEP home to digest, discuss and request changes as necessary
2. Not putting requests in writing - especially assessment or IEP requests. A school is supposed to help you put requests in writing but to make sure it gets done, start with the request in writing.
3. Not insisting on an IEP assessment IMMEDIATELY, allowing a school to delay or wait for an SST or 504 meeting.
4. Relying on emotion only instead of data. Allowing frustrating to dictate the meeting instead of bringing (or requesting) concrete data to support needs.
5. Requesting services without accompanying goals.
6. Failing to get everything in writing. Specific details, accommodations, any support being provided should be written into the IEP (and not just the notes).
7. Accepting vague, non-measurable goals (and accommodations) - SMART goals.
8. Accepting the same goals year after year without modifying services and supports.
9. Focusing on BEST instead of what is APPROPRIATE (legal standard is a Free Appropriate Public Education - FAPE).
10. Waiting for a major problem to arise to act, only communicating or escalating issues when there is a big problem rather than engaging in consistent, proactive monitoring. Not requesting IEP meetings throughout the year and waiting only for the annual.