IEP Meeting Facilitation
A facilitated IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting is an option for early conflict resolution that is available to parents and schools. In a facilitated meeting, a trained neutral facilitator helps the IEP team with the process of deciding what will be included in the IEP. This facilitation may take the place at any IEP meeting when the team members feel that they will not be able to reach agreement without meeting facilitation. The option of a facilitated IEP meeting is voluntary. The parents and the school staff must agree to the use of a facilitator.
Why would I want to participate in a facilitated IEP meeting?
The purpose of facilitation is to help the school and family reach an agreement on the IEP when there has been a history of disagreement and/or communication difficulties in planning for the student’s education. The use of a third party neutral oftentimes can help parents and districts to arrive at an IEP that is mutually acceptable.
How do I request a facilitated IEP?
The parent, guardian, adult student or school staff may request a facilitated meeting by calling the Special Education Support Center at 1-877-843-1343 or making the request through the Contact Form.
What is the cost of a facilitated IEP meeting?
The Special Education Support Center is funded by a grant from the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. IEP meeting facilitation is free.
What is the time requirement?
A facilitated IEP meeting requires a three hour commitment from all participants.
Is the facilitator a part of the IEP team?
The facilitator is a third party and remains neutral throughout the facilitation process. The facilitator guides the team through a meeting process that provides team members the opportunity to reach agreement on the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Who are the facilitators?
The Special Education Support Center has a list of skilled facilitators. The facilitators include community members, parents and educators who have experience and training in facilitation processes and IEP requirements.
Where and when are facilitated IEP meetings held?
The date and location of the meeting is set by the district. Once the district and family have agreed upon a mutually acceptable location and time, the Support Center will assign a facilitator to the meeting.
What is the role of the facilitator?
- Maintains impartiality and does not take sides, place blame or determine if a particular decision is right or wrong
- Models and helps maintain open, respectful communication among team members
- Helps team members develop and ask clarifying questions about issues that may have come up in previous meetings or communications
- Helps the IEP team focus on creating an IEP that meets the needs of the student
- Helps to keep the team members on task
- Offers ways to address and resolve conflicts in the development of the IEP
- Assists team members in determining how to deal with important topics which are unrelated to the IEP
- Maximizes the use of the time spent in the IEP meeting
- Guides the discussion , keeping the team’s energy focused on the student
What can the facilitator not do?
- Offer an opinion regarding the legal issues
- Determine if the IEP meets regulatory requirements
- Interject suggestions regarding the content of the IEP
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