Reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Long, Ph.D. — Director of Special Education, 32 years in public schools.
No. You're a full member of the IEP team, and your consent is required for the initial evaluation and initial placement. You can disagree with proposed goals, services, or placement, request time to consider a proposal, or ask to reconvene the meeting before signing anything.
The free Parent Concerns Builder turns your notes into a clear, dated statement you can email before the meeting.
Open the Parent Concerns Builder →Dr. Long's Assistant answers your specific questions in plain language — built from Dr. Long's expertise, plus state and federal law read at the source — never the open internet.
Get started →This is educational information, not legal advice. IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, and state rules may differ by situation.
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