All You Need To Know About Virtual IEP Meetings

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All you need to know about virtual IEP meetings. 

Let’s start at the beginning.

The Spring of the 2019 – 2020 school year has been difficult for everyone, parents, kids, teachers, therapists, admin… even the dog, you name it. Now you are wondering what is happening with services, IEP’s, let alone meetings. All the states are being treated as individual entities right now. So, a virtual IEP meeting is what will be happening. Just like your children may be doing school over the computer. I know our district is. 

As an online reading tutor, I am comfortable having online meetings with parents, students and especially during this shutdown I have been meeting with other tutors and teammates over Zoom, mainly. I began to think that not everyone is as comfortable with tutoring or having meetings online.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Mahatma Gandhi

All About virtual or online IEP meetings.

I know you are probably thinking that something will go wrong or you will not be able to ask the questions that you need to. My suggestion prior to the meeting is to contact someone on the team that you trust. Someone that you could text during the meeting or even after if there was something that you wanted to bring up and forgot.

My personal favorite platform to use for meetings is Zoom. However, some districts, use Google Hangouts or Meet, some may even use Skype. There are many different platforms out there that your district may use. My next suggestion is once you learn which platform that the meeting will occur on is get on it prior to the meeting and practice. The day of the meeting you will feel better about doing a virtual meeting.

Who knows this may be the standard after this is all over? Just think not having to find a sitter of to even leave work to have a meeting. You can invite anyone else to join as well.

The only thing different about a virtual IEP meeting is the place it is being held. Everything else will be the same.

Tips for a virtual meeting

• Prepare your questions and parent input prior to the meeting.
• Confirm which software/platform you will be using…practice.
• Dress appropriately. Just because you are doing a virtual meeting doesn’t mean you can show up unprofessional looking. Plus, you will feel more confident.
• Charge your phone or device prior to the meeting.
• Make sure you are in a place where there is good WIFI. It does not matter where you are just as long as it is quiet and without too many distractions.
• If you feel nervous, once the meeting gets going you won’t even realize you are online.

After the meeting is complete

After the team has reviewed your child’s strengths and weaknesses, determined goals, you have provided the parent statement and the least restrictive environment has been determined. You will receive an emailed copy of the IEP. Now is the time to read it and make sure you understand it. If you have any questions, contact that trusted member of the team and get those questions answered.