An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a crucial document that outlines the specific educational needs and support required for students with disabilities. Initiating the IEP process often begins with a formal request letter from parents or guardians. A well-crafted letter can significantly impact the effectiveness of the IEP meeting and the subsequent development of the plan. This article provides templates and examples to help you write a strong and persuasive IEP request letter, ensuring your child receives the individualized attention they deserve.
The key to a successful IEP request letter lies in its clarity, conciseness, and focus. Begin by clearly stating your purpose: requesting an IEP evaluation or review. Include your child’s full name, grade level, and school. Briefly describe your concerns regarding your child’s academic, social, or emotional performance. Highlight specific observations or examples that illustrate these concerns. Finally, express your desire to collaborate with the school team to develop an appropriate educational plan for your child.
Effective letters aren’t just about stating concerns; they’re about proposing solutions. While you may not be an educational professional, sharing your insights into what helps your child learn best can be incredibly valuable. Mention any strategies you’ve found successful at home, specific areas where you believe additional support would be beneficial, and your willingness to actively participate in the IEP development process. This collaborative approach demonstrates your commitment to your child’s education and fosters a positive working relationship with the school.
Remember to keep your letter professional and respectful. Avoid accusatory language and focus on facts and observations. Proofread carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling. By following these guidelines and utilizing the templates provided below, you can create an IEP request letter that effectively communicates your concerns and helps ensure your child receives the individualized support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Sample IEP Request Letters
Here are 25 sample IEP Request Letters. You can use these as templates, tailoring them to your specific situation. Replace the bracketed information with your own details. Remember to maintain a polite and professional tone throughout the letter.
Each sample addresses slightly different concerns, allowing you to find one that closely matches your needs.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request an evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in [Grade Level] at [School Name]. I have concerns about [Child’s Name]’s progress in [Specific Subject/Area]. [He/She] is struggling with [Specific Difficulties] and I believe an IEP may be necessary to provide the support [he/she] needs to succeed. I look forward to discussing this further with you and the IEP team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Coordinator’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Coordinator’s Name],
I am writing to request an IEP review meeting for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is currently receiving special education services at [School Name]. I would like to discuss [Specific Area of Concern] and explore potential adjustments to [Child’s Name]’s IEP to better meet [his/her] needs. I’m particularly concerned about [Specific Example]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Teacher’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Teacher’s Name],
I am writing to request a specific accommodation for my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in your [Subject] class. [Child’s Name] has an IEP that includes [Existing Accommodation]. I believe that adding [New Accommodation Request] would further support [his/her] learning by [Explanation of Benefit]. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Case Manager’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Case Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my concern about [Child’s Full Name]’s lack of progress towards [His/Her] IEP goals in [Specific Area]. I have observed [Specific Examples]. I request an IEP meeting to discuss strategies to address this and ensure [Child’s Name] is making adequate progress.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Special Education Director’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Director’s Name],
I am writing to request an assistive technology evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. [He/She] struggles with [Specific Task] and I believe assistive technology could significantly improve [his/her] ability to [Desired Outcome]. I am interested in exploring options such as [Specific Technology Examples if Known].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Psychologist’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Psychologist’s Name],
I am writing to request the development of a behavioral support plan for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. [He/She] has been exhibiting [Specific Behaviors] in the classroom, which are impacting [his/her] learning and the learning of others. I believe a proactive plan is necessary to address these behaviors constructively.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Head of Special Education Services]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Head of Services],
I am writing to request an occupational therapy (OT) evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I am concerned about [His/Her] [Fine Motor Skills/Sensory Processing/Other Relevant Area]. I believe an OT evaluation will provide valuable insights into [His/Her] needs.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Speech Pathologist’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Speech Pathologist’s Name],
I am writing to request a speech therapy evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I have concerns about [His/Her] [Articulation/Language Comprehension/Fluency/Other Relevant Area]. I am hoping this evaluation will help determine if speech therapy services would benefit [Child’s Name].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Physical Therapist’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Physical Therapist’s Name],
I am writing to request a physical therapy (PT) evaluation for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. [He/She] has difficulty with [Gross Motor Skills/Balance/Coordination/Other Relevant Area]. I believe a PT evaluation will help us understand how best to support [his/her] physical development at school.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to request a change of placement for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I believe that [his/her] current placement in [Current Placement] is not adequately meeting [his/her] needs because [Reasons for Request]. I would like to explore alternative placements, such as [Possible Alternative Placements], that may be more beneficial.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Special Education Teacher’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Special Education Teacher’s Name],
I am writing to request a meeting to review the progress monitoring data for my child, [Child’s Full Name], in [Specific Subject or Skill Area]. I want to understand how [he/she] is performing against [his/her] IEP goals and discuss any necessary adjustments to the intervention strategies.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Transition Coordinator’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Transition Coordinator’s Name],
My child, [Child’s Full Name], will be [Age] this year. I am writing to request a meeting to begin discussing transition planning for [him/her]. I am interested in exploring options for [Post-Secondary Education/Vocational Training/Independent Living] and would appreciate your guidance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Special Education Director’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Director’s Name],
I am writing to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I disagree with the school’s evaluation of [Specific Area of Disagreement] because [Reasons for Disagreement]. I believe an IEE is necessary to obtain a more accurate understanding of [his/her] needs.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I am writing to request permission to audio record my child, [Child’s Full Name]’s, upcoming IEP meeting on [Date] at [Time]. This recording will assist me in accurately recalling the information discussed and ensuring I can actively participate in the process.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the current IEP services my child, [Child’s Full Name], is receiving. Specifically, [Explain Specific Issues with Services – e.g., frequency, provider qualifications, etc.]. I request an immediate review of the IEP to address these concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I request that the IEP team consult with [Specialist’s Name and Credentials – e.g., Dr. Jane Doe, Reading Specialist] regarding [Child’s Full Name]’s IEP. This specialist has expertise in [Area of Expertise] and I believe their input would be valuable in developing a more effective plan.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Special Education Teacher’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Special Education Teacher’s Name],
I am writing to request documentation of the implementation of [Specific Aspects of IEP – e.g., accommodations, modifications, goals] for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I would like to receive regular reports outlining how these aspects of the IEP are being implemented and the progress [he/she] is making.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
Due to [Reason for Remote Participation], I am requesting to participate remotely in my child, [Child’s Full Name]’s, IEP meeting on [Date] at [Time] via [Phone/Video Conference]. Please let me know how to connect remotely.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Psychologist’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [School Psychologist’s Name],
I am writing to request a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. [He/She] exhibits [Specific Challenging Behaviors] that are interfering with [his/her] learning. An FBA will help us understand the function of these behaviors and develop effective interventions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[School Records Custodian’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Records Custodian’s Name],
I am writing to request access to review my child, [Child’s Full Name]’s, school records. I would like to schedule a time to review these documents at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I am writing to request consideration for Extended School Year (ESY) services for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. [He/She] experiences significant regression of skills over school breaks, particularly in [Specific Area]. ESY services would help maintain [his/her] progress.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I believe that my child, [Child’s Full Name], would benefit from paraeducator support in the classroom. [He/She] requires assistance with [Specific Tasks – e.g., organization, focusing, completing assignments] and a paraeducator could provide the individualized support needed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Principal’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [Principal’s Name],
Due to [Child’s Full Name]’s significant behavioral challenges [Describe Behaviors], I am requesting a more restrictive environment, such as [Specific Placement Option – e.g., self-contained classroom] for [him/her]. I believe this is necessary to ensure [his/her] safety and the safety of other students.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I believe that my child, [Child’s Full Name], is ready to transition to a less restrictive environment. [He/She] has made significant progress in [Specific Areas] and is now able to [Specific Skills Demonstrating Readiness for Less Restrictive Environment]. I request a meeting to discuss this transition.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[IEP Team Leader’s Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Dear [IEP Team Leader’s Name],
I am writing to request an IEP meeting for my child, [Child’s Full Name]. I have some concerns I would like to discuss regarding [His/Her] progress and current IEP. Please let me know what dates and times are available for the meeting.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Crafting an effective IEP request letter is a critical step in advocating for your child’s educational needs. By using these templates as a starting point, personalizing them to your specific situation, and maintaining a collaborative approach, you can empower yourself to actively participate in the IEP process and help ensure your child receives the individualized support they deserve to reach their full potential.
