Before the IEP helps parents prepare for a successful IEP meeting by explaining what to expect, what they should know, and how they can actively participate. This resource walks parents through the steps leading up to the meeting, introduces the five key components of a high-quality IEP, and provides practical tips and reflection tools to help them confidently partner with the IEP team.

Assessment is the first of the five key components of a high-quality IEP. This resource helps parents understand the purpose of assessments, how assessment information is gathered and used, the parent's role throughout the process, and how assessment results guide eligibility, IEP development, and educational decision-making.

Present Levels is the second of the five key components of a high-quality IEP. This resource helps parents understand how present levels describe a child's current strengths, needs, and performance, and why they serve as the foundation for developing meaningful goals, supports, and services. Parents will also learn how their input and their child's voice contribute to creating a complete, student-centered picture that guides educational decision-making.

Areas of Need is the third of the five key components of a high-quality IEP. This resource helps parents understand how the IEP team identifies the most important skills a child needs to develop to make meaningful progress in school. Parents will learn how areas of need connect present levels to goals, supports, and services, and how their input and their child's voice help guide individualized, student-centered decision-making.

Measurable Annual Goals is the fourth of the five key components of a high-quality IEP. This resource helps parents understand how annual goals are developed from assessment information, present levels, and identified areas of need. Parents will learn how measurable goals guide instruction, supports, and services, how progress is monitored throughout the year, and how they and their child can actively participate in developing meaningful, student-centered goals.

Individual Transition Plan (ITP) helps parents understand how transition planning prepares students with disabilities for life after high school. This resource explains the purpose of the ITP, the parent's role, and how postsecondary goals, transition services, and the course of study work together to support future success in education, employment, and independent living, when appropriate.

Supports and Services is the fifth of the five key components of a high-quality IEP. This resource helps parents understand the individualized supports and services that help a child access learning, make progress toward annual goals, and participate meaningfully in school. Parents will learn how supports and services are determined, how they connect to their child's strengths and needs, and how they can partner with the IEP team to ensure the plan is implemented effectively.

Student Presentation Template for Early Childhood/Elementary Students

An easy-to-use form to provide input about your student from a parent perspective.

Parent Checklist for the BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an IEP.

This transition checklist can support Early Start Service Coordinators (Part C), LEAs (Part B), and parents to prepare, plan, and implement the transition process while helping to clarify roles and responsibilities for each participant. This resource is also offered in multiple languages (see below).

Special Education Timeline Resource

Family Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22 in California. These nonprofit organizations offer specialized training, peer-to-peer support, information and referral services. They aim to assist parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, serve as a resource for the IEP process, participate in school reform and improvement activities, promote alternative dispute resolution, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals.