Q&A: The School Always Ignores My Input at IEP or 504 Meetings — What Can I Do?
Part 1 of our series: “Top Flaws of IEP and 504 Plans — and What You Can Do About Them.”
Question:
I don’t see the point of attending IEP or 504 meetings. I barely get a chance to talk, and when I do, I’m ignored. How can I get the school to listen to me?
Answer: Parents Have the Right to Be Heard at IEP and 504 Meetings
Under federal special education law, parents are essential members of the IEP or 504 team. The school must listen to and consider your input, even if it is not required to adopt every suggestion you make.
Your participation helps ensure that your child’s needs are fully understood and that the team considers all relevant information before finalizing the plan.
Practical Steps to Make Your Voice Heard
1. Prepare in Advance
If you feel nervous or overwhelmed during meetings, write down your key points beforehand.
Bring a list of concerns and specific questions to keep you focused during the meeting.
Provide your written comments or parent input statement to the team at the start of the meeting. This ensures your concerns are part of the official record and helps structure the discussion.
2. Ask Questions
Once the meeting begins, use your preparation to guide the conversation.
Ask open-ended questions such as:
“How will the school measure progress on this goal?”
“What interventions are being used, and how often?”
“What data supports that this approach is working?”
Listen carefully to the answers and ask follow-up questions to clarify. This keeps the team accountable and helps you stay informed.
3. Document After the Meeting
If you feel that your concerns were dismissed or not addressed, follow up in writing.
Send a short letter or email summarizing:
What you said during the meeting
The school’s responses
Any unresolved issues or next steps
This creates a written record of your input, which can be critical if you later need to file a complaint or request mediation.
Why Documentation Matters
Documentation is one of the most powerful tools parents have in the special education process. Written records:
Confirm what was discussed and promised
Prevent misunderstandings
Protect your rights if disputes arise about services or accommodations
A clear paper trail helps demonstrate your ongoing involvement and shows the district had notice of your concerns.
Need Legal Support?
If you need help making your voice heard in IEP or 504 meetings, contact Massachusetts special education attorney Lillian E. Wong at Noble Education Law for guidance and advocacy strategies.
Lillian helps parents understand their legal rights, prepare for meetings, and hold schools accountable for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the IDEA and Section 504.
