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Sample IEP Request Letter


By: the United Advocates for Children of California

Here is a sample letter requesting an Individual Education Plan for your child:

(Your Name)

(Your Street Address)

(Your City, State, Zip code)

RE: (Your Child’s Name)

Dear (School Principal’s Name),

I am writing to request an Individual Education Plan (IEP) assessment for my child (Your Child’s Name), who is (Your Child’s Age) old, and a student at (The School’s Name). (Your Child’s Name) is a student in the (Your Child’s Grade Level or Class Name). (His or Her) primary instructor is (Primary Instructor or Homeroom Teacher’s Name).

I am very concerned about (Your Child’s Name’s) ability to successfully achieve an education due to (His or Her) difficulties with (Name The Specific Issues Your Child Is Experiencing At School. Include Academic and Emotional Issues That Are Interfering With His/Her Ability To Maintain Successfully In The Classroom Setting.)

Therefore, (Your Child’s Name) requires this evaluation in order to identify possible learning or emotional disabilities that are interfering with (His or Her) ability to achieve up to (His or Her) full potential.

I will contact you next week to schedule an appointment to begin this assessment. I can be reached at: (Give Your Mailing Address and Work, Home, and Mobile Telephone Numbers if Available.) I look forward to speaking with you soon and I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Thank you,

cc: As Many Of The Titles Listed As Applicable To Your Child’s School: Vice Principal, Counselor, Primary Classroom Teacher or Homeroom Teacher, Special Education Director, Local School Board President

cc: John Brown, Vice Principal, Hometown elementary School

Jane White, Counselor, Hometown Elementary School

Jill Green, Instructor Homeroom 3, Hometown Elementary School

James Black, Director of Special Education, Hometown Elementary School

Jennifer Gray, Board President, Hometown Elementary School Board

TEN TIPS FOR IEP SUCCESS:

  • Start a binder to keep copies of everything regarding your child’s education, medical and emotional needs. Include copies of letters, IEP’s, medical records, a log of incidents in the school or community, etc. Put a picture of your child on the cover of this binder and bring it to all meetings that concern him/her. Don’t rely on any of the agencies that serve your child to keep her/his records for you.
  • Use your child’ name frequently – each time you use his/her name, it will be more difficult for the reader to “forget” who your child is. Also, be very specific in describing behaviors that are hindering your child in school. These can be both classroom and “recreational/recess periods, and may include difficulty understanding, and or processing information, difficulty sitting still, hearing, seeing, distractibility, anxiety, explosive outbursts, problems following directions or re-direction, etc.
  • Engage and enroll the school officials in helping you help your child, try to save your anger and frustration for another day.
  • Send copies of your letter to at least three school officials, and use cc: so that everyone who receives your letter will know that they are part of this process and have been officially requested to provide assistance.
  • Follow-up: Mark the date on your calendar and if you haven’t heard from anyone of the persons you called, within nine working days from the date you mailed your letters, call all of the people you wrote to inquire about scheduling your first assessment appointment.
  • Remember that as a parent/caregiver, you have the right to request an assessment for your child if you feel she/he is in need of assistance. Don’t let any school officials try to convince you that you don’t have this right.
  • Learn about the rights of children with special educational needs. There are many links on this website to assist you. IDEA = Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it is your legal guide to getting services for your child.
  • Be stubborn with a smile; you will need to work with your child’s school to help him/her, and it is an evolving process that will require everyone’s time.
  • Be especially considerate of the school officials receptionists/assistants, they are the gateway to getting your needs met.
  • Try to attend a local school board meeting; it helps to know who may be an ally at the top.