IEP Meetings: What to Do When the Team Disagrees

Congruence Law, P.C. Helps Parents Navigate IEP Disputes with Confidence and Legal Support

Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings are supposed to be collaborative and student-focused. But too often, parents walk away feeling unheard, outnumbered, or blindsided by decisions that don’t reflect their child’s actual needs. When disagreements arise over services, goals, placement, or evaluations, you don’t have to accept the school’s decision as final.

At Congruence Law, P.C., we empower families to assert their voice, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that IEPs serve the student—not the system.

What Is an IEP Team—and Who Has Authority?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the IEP team must include:

• The parent(s) or guardian(s)

• A special education teacher

• A general education teacher

• A representative of the school district

• Someone who can interpret evaluation results

• Others with knowledge or expertise at the parents’ or school’s request

All members, including the parent, are equal participants. No single person has veto power—but schools often act as if they do.

Common Areas of Disagreement

➤ Service levels (speech, OT, counseling, etc.)

➤ Placement decisions (inclusion vs. separate setting)

➤ IEP goals or progress metrics

➤ Assistive technology or behavioral supports

➤ Eligibility determinations or changes

➤ Requests for outside evaluations

➤ Transportation or extended school year (ESY) services

If you’ve disagreed with the IEP team, you’re not alone—and you have legal options.

What You Can Do When the Team Disagrees

• Request Prior Written Notice (PWN): Schools must give written explanations for refusals, including facts, reasons, and alternatives considered.

• Submit a Written Parent Statement: You have the right to attach a dissent to the IEP, which becomes part of the student’s official record.

• Request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): If you disagree with a school’s evaluation, you can request a publicly funded IEE.

• Request Mediation or Due Process: These formal legal remedies allow you to challenge decisions in a neutral or adjudicative setting.

• Invoke Stay-Put Protections: If a proposed change is harmful, you may be able to freeze the current placement during a dispute.

What We Do at Congruence Law, P.C.

We guide families through the dispute resolution process, from informal advocacy to full legal proceedings. Our services include:

• Preparing parents for IEP meetings to strengthen negotiation

• Reviewing and revising IEPs and evaluation data

• Demanding PWNs and enforcing procedural rights

• Securing Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)

• Filing state complaints or due process hearings

• Negotiating settlement agreements or consent IEPs

We also attend IEP meetings as legal advocates, ensuring your concerns are documented and respected.

What Schools Say—and What the Law Really Says

“The team already made a decision.”→ The IEP team isn’t complete without the parent. A decision without you is procedurally flawed.

“We don’t offer that service here.”→ IDEA requires individualized programming—not limited menus.

“We have to go with the majority vote.”→ IDEA doesn’t allow “voting” on services. All decisions must be based on data and student need, not popularity.

“If you don’t agree, you can withdraw.”→ This is coercive and may violate FAPE obligations. Parents don’t forfeit rights by disagreeing.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Signing the IEP just to “keep the peace.” You have a right to withhold consent for parts—or all—of the IEP.

• Letting the school finalize decisions in advance. If the IEP was pre-written, demand a meaningful meeting, not a rubber stamp.

• Failing to request PWN in writing. This locks in the school’s position and gives you grounds to challenge it.

• Waiting too long to act. Deadlines for due process filings or IEEs are limited. Don’t delay if your concerns are serious.

Why Choose Congruence Law, P.C.

We believe that when a parent speaks up, they should be respected—not silenced. IEP teams work best when all voices are heard, and legal protections are enforced. We ensure that decisions reflect the child’s needs—not the district’s convenience.

If you’ve left an IEP meeting feeling frustrated, outvoted, or dismissed, contact us today:

education@congruencelaw.com or at 202-630-8141

Let us help you turn disagreement into action—and build a plan that truly serves your child.