A Simple Tool to Help Parents Prepare for an IEP Meeting about Goals
IEP meetings can move quickly, and it’s common for parents to feel unsure about whether a proposed goal is truly appropriate for their child. This worksheet was created to help parents slow the process down and look at proposed IEP goals through an instructional lens.
The purpose of this worksheet is not to lower expectations or limit potential. It is to help parents evaluate whether a goal is reasonably aligned with their child’s current skills, learning profile, and rate of progress, and whether it can realistically be achieved within one year.
How This Worksheet Helps
This worksheet walks you step-by-step through:
- identifying what your child can do right now
- examining how a proposed goal builds on those skills
- checking whether foundational steps are being skipped
- considering whether the goal requires understanding your child has not yet developed
You do not need special education expertise to use this tool. It is designed to be used alongside evaluations, progress reports, and your own observations of your child.
How to Use the Worksheet
- Print the worksheet and complete it at home while reviewing draft IEP goals
- Bring it with you to an IEP meeting as a reference
- Use it to guide questions and discussion with the IEP team
- Revisit it over time as goals are revised or new goals are proposed
Tip: Write the date next to any highlighted skills. You can reuse the same set of standards year-to-year to clearly document progress over time.
What This Worksheet Is — and Is Not
This worksheet is:
- a parent-friendly tool for reviewing IEP goals
- a way to organize concerns before a meeting
- support for informed, collaborative conversations
This worksheet is not:
- legal advice
- a substitute for professional evaluation
- a directive telling schools what they must do
Download the Worksheet
Related Resources
This handout is based on the ideas discussed in the article “Presumed Competence Has Been Weaponized.” Parents who want a deeper explanation may find that article helpful.
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