When you arrive at an IEP meeting there may be many people present. The meeting will begin with each person introducing themselves and telling why he/she is there. Those that may be present at the meeting include your child's special education teacher, regular education teacher, speech/language pathologist, school psychologist, school administrator, or other special education personnel who are there to help make decisions to assure your child a free and appropriate public education. It is in your best interest to let your case manager know if you are bringing others so accommodations can be made.

During the meeting you will hear many terms. Some of the terms you may have not heard or do not understand. Below is a list of some of those terms:

• ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) - The person assigned by the Office of Administrative Hearings to hear a due process hearing. 
• IEP Team - The team of people who determines a child's eligibility, needs, and who also approves the IEP. The parent/legal guardian is an important member of this team. 
• Consulting Teacher - The Consulting Teacher provides support to school staff and parents for all matters pertaining to students with disabilities. 
• Due Process - Your child's rights are protected by law. Each student with a disability is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). If you do not believe your child is receiving FAPE, you have a right to request a due process hearing or mediation in an attempt to resolve the issue. 
• ESY (Extended School Year) - Your child's IEP team evaluates each child's need for an ESY based upon his/her growth, skill level, ability to regain the skill after breaks and the amount of loss a student may experience due to a break in service during the summer months. This is highly individualized and represents a small portion of the student population. 
• IEP (Individual Education Plan) - An IEP is developed which outlines long range goals and short term objectives for your child based upon his/her needs based on qualifying disability. The IEP is approved prior to placement in a program. 
• Service Hours - The number of hours your child will receive special education service will be discussed.
• LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) - By law we must consider placing your child in or as near the home school as possible. 
• OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) - This office schedules and provides officials for mediation and due process hearings. 
• OT (Occupational Therapist) - An OT is a person who assesses and works with fine motor problems. 
• Partners for Success Center - Carroll County Public Schools provides a Parent Center for parents and teachers to get information, training and support for matters relative to special education and regular education. The center is staffed by a parent and a special educator. The telephone number is 410-751-3955. 
• PT (Physical Therapist) - A PT works with gross or large muscle problems. 
• Related Service - These are the support services to help your child achieve individual identified goals and objectives. These may include OT, PT, Vision, Hearing, Motor, Counseling, Transportation, etc. 
• Section 504 - Section 504 is that portion of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that provides safe guards for all persons with disabilities. A person not qualifying for services under special education may be eligible for service and support under this regulation. Call 410-751-3137 and ask for the Section 504 Coordinator for more information. 
• Speech/Language Pathologist - A Speech/Language Pathologist is a person who works with disorders of speech and language. This may include articulation (pronouncing sounds correctly), language (appropriate use of words) voice problems and/or fluency problems.

At the beginning of the meeting your child's strengths and specific educational needs will be identified. After this is done, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be developed and approved. You may have received a proposed IEP in the mail prior to the meeting. You should bring the proposed IEP along with any suggestions you have to the IEP meeting.

After an IEP has been approved by the IEP team, the type of service, the location of service, amount of service and identification of service provider(s) will be identified. Services will begin as soon as possible, within 30 school days from the date of approval.

Please feel free to ask questions and provide your input any time during an IEP meeting. You are a vital part of the team. Your opinion is respected and your help is needed to develop an appropriate program for your child. If you still have questions after the meeting, please contact your child's Special Education Case Manager to help you find the answers. You may also request additional meetings at any time if you have questions about identification, placement, service or any other matter pertaining to your child's special education program. This request should be sent to the school in writing.