A free collection of hand-picked resources for parents who want to learn how to create a solid IEP or 504 Plan and get the school to approve it. Learn how to advocate for your child with more confidence and better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are not alone!
Read more to learn how to begin the journey to better report cards, happier kids, and a happier you!
Find answers to frequently asked questions from parents facing similar obstacles.
Questions like:
How long will it take till my child’s educational plan is approved?
Why can’t I just study some free online resources and talk to the school myself?
The IEP Advocate Blog
Find help with expert articles, tips, and tricks, and stories of how parents just like you have helped their children get the education they deserve.
Advocate’s Prayer
“Put the right thoughts in my heart, the right words on my tongue. Remind me that I am just a vessel, Lord, to carry your word to others. Let me be strong for this child and this family. When it seems difficult To voice opposition or to be firm in a request, help me not to waiver…”
A free collection of hand-picked resources for parents who want to learn how to create a solid IEP or 504 Plan and get the school to approve it. Learn how to advocate for your child with more confidence and better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your individual situation. In some cases, there are fixed deadlines set by law that districts have to comply with. In other cases, there is no official timeline.
Based on our experience:
- If your child doesn’t have an IEP yet, the process usually takes between 90 and 120 school days.
- If your child has an educational plan, and we are trying to change it, it can take between one and three.
It’s only natural that you’d like to learn about the IEP process and try to talk to the school yourself first.
But from every 10 parents who come to us, 8 have tried doing it on their own but only ended up wasting valuable time.
Here are the three most common reasons why you may not be able to successfully negotiate an IEP without an advocate.
1. You don’t fully understand the game the school district is playing.
You think the school wants the best for your child and is doing as much as they can. Unfortunately, very often, it can’t be further from the truth.
The main goal of the school district is to spend less money. Providing your child with the help they need means additional expenses. So, the school representatives often try to deceive or manipulate you to get out of providing your child with the support they have the right to. Sad, but true.
2. Free resources may give you the tools but not the strategy to use them effectively.
You read some articles. You watched a couple webinars. You talked to your friends. And you get a feeling that you’ve understood how it works.
Then, you go into the school meeting… and still feel powerless.
Free resources may give you a general understanding of the IEP process. But only an experienced advocate knows how to create a successful strategy in your particular situation. And, most importantly, how to get the school to act.
3. Your emotions may get in the way.
It will be impossible for you to ignore your emotions during the school meetings. The school has been dealing with parents like you for years. They know how to manipulate your emotions and will make you frustrated, angry or scared to take away your ability to think and speak clearly.
The school’s tricks won’t work on us.
We know exactly how to make them do what we want. Because we are the master negotiators who can’t be intimidated.
A free collection of hand-picked resources for parents who want to learn how to create a solid IEP or 504 Plan and get the school to approve it.
All you need to know about IEPs and 504 Plans.
Florida McKay & Gardiner Scholarship information.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) explained.
What to keep in mind while communicating with the school and attending school meetings.
Placement and disciplinary actions: FAQ.
Providing student services during COVID-19: FAQ.
…and much more.
Additional Resources
IEP Success Tracker
A collection of printable (and editable!) PDFs that help you keep track of your child’s progress and hold the school accountable in case they don’t follow the IEP as they should.
Among other things, IEP Success Tracker helps you track:
Communication with the school and the outcomes of each encounter.
IEP weekly goals and objectives.
IEP services the school has committed to and the exact days they were provided.
What works well for your child (and what doesn’t).
Your child’s grades.
