Made for This DayPrintable workbooks, crafts & activity packs for kids & family
HomeBig feelings & belonging

Questions worth asking at an IEP or SEN meeting

A meeting full of correct-sounding language can still leave you without a clear picture of what actually happens to your child on an ordinary Tuesday. A few concrete questions fix that.

What does this goal look like in an actual school day?

A written goal can sound complete and still leave you unable to picture the specific moment it applies to. Ask for the concrete version: what will actually be different in the classroom, and how would I notice it if I were standing there?

How, exactly, will progress be measured?

"We will monitor progress" is not an answer. Ask what is actually being counted or observed, how often, and whether you will see the data or just a summary of it.

Who do I contact if something is not working, before the next meeting?

Meetings happen a few times a year; problems happen on Tuesdays. Get a specific name and a specific way to reach them for the weeks in between, so a struggling plan does not have to wait for the next scheduled meeting to be adjusted.

What happens if this does not work?

Ask directly what the next step is if the current plan is not enough — not to be pessimistic, but because knowing there is a next step if needed makes the current plan easier to accept as a starting point rather than a final answer.

Questions people ask

Is it rude to ask this many questions?

No. A meeting about your child is exactly the place to ask until you actually understand, and a team used to these meetings expects it.

What if I think of a better question after the meeting ends?

Email it. A written question gets a written answer you can keep, and there is no rule that questions only count inside the meeting room.

Should my child be part of any of this?

It depends entirely on your child's age and how they feel about it — some older children want to be in part of the meeting, others would rather not. Ask your child what they want.

Part of our guide to Big feelings & belonging.