My Child's IEP Isn't Working: Steps to Take When You're Not Seeing Progress

You went through the entire Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, and you felt hopeful that the plan would help your child succeed. But weeks or months have passed, and you’re not seeing the progress you expected. It’s a frustrating and common situation. If you feel your child's IEP isn't working, here are the steps you can take to get things back on track.

Step 1: Define "Not Working" with Data

Before you approach the school, clarify your concerns. "I just have a bad feeling" is less effective than presenting specific evidence. The IEP itself is your best tool for this.

• Review the IEP Goals: The goals should be measurable. How is your child performing against those specific benchmarks? For example, if a goal is to read 60 words per minute, where are they now?

• Look at Progress Reports: The school is required to send you regular reports on your child's progress toward their IEP goals. Do these reports show progress, stagnation, or regression?

• Collect Your Own Data: Keep track of how long homework is taking, look for patterns in test scores, and save work samples that show your child is still struggling with a specific skill.

Step 2: Talk with the Teacher

Your child's teacher is your most important partner. Schedule a meeting to share your concerns. Ask open-ended questions to get their perspective:

• "How do you see my child's progress in this area?"

• "Are the accommodations in the IEP helping in the classroom?"

• "What are you seeing that I'm not seeing at home?"

This conversation can provide valuable insights. The teacher might be seeing progress you're unaware of, or they might share your concerns and have ideas for different strategies.

Step 3: Request an IEP Team Meeting

If your concerns remain after speaking with the teacher, you have the right to request an IEP meeting at any time—you don't have to wait for the annual review. Put your request in a dated letter or email to the school's case manager or special education director.

In your request, state the purpose of the meeting: "I am requesting an IEP meeting to discuss my child's lack of progress on their current goals and to revise the IEP."

Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions at the Meeting

At the meeting, present your data and concerns calmly and factually. The goal is to work with the team to figure out why the IEP isn't working and what to do about it. The problem could be:

• The goals are inappropriate. They may be too ambitious or not ambitious enough.

• The services are insufficient. Your child might need more time with the special education teacher or a different type of therapy.

• The accommodations are ineffective. The strategies being used might not be the right fit for your child's learning style.

• There's a new, unidentified challenge. Your child may be facing a new issue that requires further evaluation.

Step 5: Follow Up and Monitor

After the IEP is revised, don't wait for the next formal progress report. Stay in regular communication with the teacher to monitor if the new strategies are making a difference. An effective IEP is often the result of ongoing collaboration and adjustment. Don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to find the right combination of goals and supports for your child.