How to Read Your Child's IEP
Receiving your child's IEP and actually understanding it are two different things. The document can be long, jargon-heavy, and easy to gloss over. Here is a practical guide to reading it with intention.
Start with the Present Levels
The first substantive section describes your child's "present levels of academic achievement and functional performance." This is a snapshot of where your child is right now. Ask yourself: does this accurately describe my child? Does it capture both strengths and challenges? Is it specific enough to actually guide instruction, or is it full of vague, generic language?
Weak present levels lead to weak goals. If this section does not reflect your child well, that is the first thing worth addressing.
Review the Annual Goals
Annual goals describe what the IEP team expects your child to achieve within the next year. Each goal should be:
Measurable: you should be able to tell whether it was achieved
Specific: it should address a real skill or area of need, not a broad category
Realistic but ambitious: it should reflect what your child can reasonably achieve with appropriate support
If the goals feel generic (for example, "will improve reading skills"), they may not be meaningful enough to hold anyone accountable.
Look at the Services Section Closely
The services section tells you exactly what supports your child will receive. For each service, check:
Type of service (speech therapy, occupational therapy, SETSS, etc.)
Frequency (how many times per week or month)
Duration (how long each session is)
Setting (individual, small group, in the classroom, outside the classroom)
Start and end date
What is written in this section is what the DOE is legally obligated to provide. If a service is missing or the frequency seems low, that is something to raise.
Check the Program Recommendation
The IEP will describe the recommended educational setting. Common options include general education with support services, an integrated co-teaching class, special class in a community school, a specialized school, or a state approved nonpublic school. The placement should match the level of support your child needs.
Look for What Is Missing
Sometimes the most important thing in an IEP is what is not there. Ask:
Are all of your child's areas of need addressed?
If your child had a private evaluation that identified specific needs, are those reflected in the IEP?
Are there gaps between what the evaluations found and what the IEP is offering?
The Bottom Line
Reading an IEP takes time and practice. If you are unsure whether what you are reading is appropriate for your child, a second opinion from an advocate or attorney can be valuable.
We are happy to review an IEP during a consultation and give you our read on whether it is legally sufficient.
Mastrangelo & Saul | New York City Special Education Law | This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.