Parent concerns letter before the IEP meeting (template)
By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated
Short answer
A parent concerns letter tells the IEP team, in writing and before the meeting, what you see at home, what worries you, and what you hope for. Send it 5 to 7 days ahead and ask that it be added to the IEP. The team must consider your concerns, and a letter makes them hard to miss.
Every IEP has a place for parent concerns, and the team must consider them when it writes the plan.[1] Too often that section gets one line typed at the meeting. A letter you write ahead of time fixes that. It gives the team time to respond, and it puts your words in the record.
This page has a fill-in letter, a completed example, and notes on each part. For examples of what parents write in the concerns section itself, see parent concerns IEP examples. For a form-style version, see the parent input form. For the meeting overall, see the IEP meeting guide.
The fill-in letter
Copy this into an email or a document and fill in the brackets. Keep it to one page if you can.
Completed example
Here is a made-up letter from a parent named Mrs. Park, whose son Daniel is in grade 3 and has an IEP for a learning disability in reading.
Notes on each section
What is going well. Start with strengths. It shows the team you see the whole child, and it helps them plan from what works. Be specific: "reads to his sister" is better than "he's doing great."
My main concerns. This is the heart of the letter. Put the most important concern first. Limit yourself to 2 or 3 so each gets real time. Add a number or an example to each one, such as minutes of homework, a progress report score, or something your child said.
What I see at home. Teachers do not see evenings and weekends. Your view fills in the picture. Describe what happens, not what you think the diagnosis is.
What has helped. These ideas often end up as accommodations or teaching strategies in the IEP. Name anything that works, even if it seems small.
What I would like the team to discuss. Turn concerns into clear questions or requests. The team can then come prepared, with data or options.
My hopes. One or two sentences. Teams often use this in the IEP vision statement. See IEP vision statement examples.
Documents attached. Outside reports and home logs give the team more data. A 10-night homework log is strong evidence.
When and how to send it
Send the letter 5 to 7 days before the meeting, by email, so you have a record. Ask the case manager to confirm they got it and will share it. Bring 2 printed copies to the meeting in case someone has not read it. At the meeting, check that your concerns are in the IEP. If they are not, ask for them to be added.
If you want a draft of the IEP too, ask in the same email. See draft IEPs before the meeting.
Print version
Print this page from your browser, or copy the fill-in letter into a document. No sign-up is needed. Pair it with the IEP meeting checklist for parents. If you cannot attend the meeting, the letter matters even more; see what schools must do in meeting without the parent.
For free help writing your letter, contact your state's Parent Training and Information Center, found through the Center for Parent Information and Resources.[2]
Frequently asked questions
Does the IEP team have to read my parent concerns letter?
The team must consider your concerns when it develops the IEP. Ask the case manager to share your letter with the team and add it to the parent concerns section. Bring copies to the meeting too.
How long should a parent concerns letter be?
One page is best. Focus on 2 or 3 main concerns with examples. A longer letter can work, but the most important points should come first.
Can I send a parent concerns letter in my own language?
Yes. Write in the language you are most comfortable with and ask the school to have it translated. You can also ask for an interpreter at the meeting.
Use it in IEP Atlas
Related guides
- The IEP meeting: before, during and after
- Can I get a draft IEP before the meeting?
- Holding an IEP meeting without the parent: documenting attempts
- IEP meeting checklist for teachers and case managers
- Capturing parent concerns in the IEP
Sources
- 34 CFR §300.324: Development, review, and revision of IEP, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- Center for Parent Information and Resources, CPIR
Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.