IEP Parental Concerns- How to arrive ready. Includes *Free* Printable

Parental Concerns: What does this mean?

The parental concerns section of the IEP should cover exactly what it sounds like- your parental concerns for your learner. It is your open floor as a parent to share your concerns both at school and outside of school. Too often, we attend IEP meetings and the parental concern section is blank- always ask a question. Some examples you may list as it relates to school may include questions or concerns related to student schedule, accommodation, next steps as it relates to transition, etc.

As we shared in our previous blog, 5 tips to Prepare For Your Next IEP Meeting, we recommend writing your concerns prior to the IEP meeting and sharing them with the school team prior to the meeting. These needs include your whole child- academic needs, daily living/adaptive, behavioral and social. We break down our steps in outlining your draft below.

Starting Your Parental Concerns Draft

We break preparing your Parental Concerns down in 5 simple steps:

1. Areas of Growth at Home

2. Areas of Growth at School

3. Improvements Since Last IEP Meeting

4. Changes in Performance

5. Your Concerns About the School Day

1. Areas of Growth at Home:

Academic: Does your child complete work the same way they do at school?

Behavioral: Any challenges at home?

Daily Living/Adaptive Skills: Depending on the age of your child- are they doing things like their peers?

Social: Any challenges related to social skills at home? What about at the grocery store? A neighbor’s house? During community events?

Things your child does well at home: Here’s your chance to brag!

2. Areas of Growth at School: Now we are going to think about the same categories but at school.

Academic: Does your child complete work at school? Are they on or above grade level in all subjects?

Behavioral: Any challenges at school?

Daily Living/Adaptive Skills: Depending on the age of your child- are they doing things like their peers?

Social: Any challenges related to social skills at school? What are your concerns?

Things your child does well at school: Think of the positive phone calls and interactions from the school team. What did they share with you?

3. Improvements Since Last IEP Meeting

I know, I know. You are thinking why am I listing improvements from the last IEP meeting in this document. Much of life is about communication. Try to think of at least two things to write down in this section. Some examples could include:

• Mastered math goal

• Able to transition to co-taught math

• Application of speech goal at home

4. Changes in Performance

Now is the time to think about your child’s full day at school. Are there any situations or subjects in which you are seeing different work compared to school? For example, is he able to complete all 10 math problems at home but not at school? Is he potty trained at school but not at home? Note any differences

5. Your Concerns About the School Day

Think about your child’s school day. Do you have any concerns about their schedule? Do you have any concerns about the application of skills at home? Do you have any concerns about Gen Ed classes? The parental concerns section of the IEP is your space to share all your concerns with the school team- this is YOUR space. Your entire parental concern should be copied + pasted in the IEP. None of your words should be altered or removed.

Parental Concerns: Putting it all together

Here’s an example of a Parental Concern letter for an IEP:

Good morning Ms. Watkins,

Below is a copy of my parental concerns for the IEP meeting dated 11/1/21. I will also bring a copy with me to the meeting.

Since the last IEP meeting, Ryan has made improvements in accurately answering WH questions, increasing math skills, and decreasing aggression. From my understanding the current challenges at school are staying on task for more than 5 minutes, playing appropriately with peers during recess and while he has made progress, we are still working on increasing his math skills. At home, we share the same challenges. Our primary area of concern is staying on task to complete his homework. He is able to complete his evening chore (clean up after dinner) with only sometimes only a reminder to start. I appreciate the efforts made by the school team as we practice similar WH questions at home (speech goal in last IEP).

My primary areas of concern for the school team are:

• Continuing to work on his communication (staying on topic)

• Continuing to work on his math skills

• Possible social skills group/peer buddy to target his social skill development

I look forward to talking with the team on 11/1/21.

See how simple that was- short + sweet+ to the point! It provided a quick summary of what’s going on at home, challenges shared by the school to parents, and where the parent wants to see their child progress.

The development of an Effective IEP considers the entire child and involves all members of the IEP Team. As a parent, you are an important member of the team. It is important you share your concerns.

Action Item:

Use this outline to draft your Parental Concerns for your next IEP Meeting.

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Until next time,

EI