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	Length of IEP meeting When we had our first IEP meeting it was very short/quick and rushed.  I didn't sign the IEP went over things at home and then brought it back with what I added.  I was okay with that because it seemed comprehensive and all, however, my question would be --is there a time limit on meetings???  I will certainly talk to my case worker and ask if it can be scheduled so that I have more time, but I was wondering if there are any 'requirements'?????Ask for a draft copy ahead of time- even if just a day or two.  THis will give you extra time before the meeting to go over the IEP.  As a special education teacher, I'm fine w/ sending draft copies home because it does save us alot of time at the meeting, but we're not rushed either. I have had little "hints" (HA!) that we WERE rushed.  Ad nthe thing to do is ignore them. It is  great you took the IEP home to consider prior to signing -- I do not think I would ever sign one at the first meeting. And yes, ask for a draft ahead of time, and have your suggestions ready to add! Our first meeting took an hour and it felt rushed o me. They had an IEP ready and just wanted me to sign. I didn't. I am in a new district and asked for a copy of proposed goals ahead and was told that the first meeting would not have anything in writing but that we would just spent 1-2 hours going over eval and proposing goals. I would get the IEP draft after it was written after the meeting. I guess it is different everywhere - call your school social worker and ask what to expect. Anything the district brings to the meeting in writing - like a proposed IEP - you can ask to get a copy of beforehand.Most meetings with schools are boilerplate, so they don't take long. Not every IEP needs to be changed much each and every year, so those meeting are short. If you know that your will go long, ask ahead of time for the amount of time you think you need.  If the meeting must be adjourned before you completely finish agreeing to the new IEP, ask that the meeting be tabled and continued at a future time.  I would AGREE to anything you already know you like and just table the topics that remain to be discussed. Do not feel pressured. You can always ask for more meetings. If you begin to feel time pressure, speak up. Say, "I can feel that people are anxious to finish this meeting, but there are XYZ things left to be discussed.  I think it would make sense to adjourn now and reschedule the meeting so we don't feel rushed."  Sometimes SD's want to finish the business NOW badly enough to OK things you want just to not have to table the meeting.  In any event, you'll have another crack at discussing outstanding issues.Also keep in mind the time of day. Not that this pertains to your particular situation, but just something to remember for the future. Some districts do not have any requirements/rules about ending a meeting when a teacher's contracted hours are up. For example, our district has contracted hours of 7:00-3:15, but we sometimes have meetings that last until 4:00 or even later. Teachers DO care about their students and DO want what's best for them, but they also have families, children, and other things to take care at the end of the school day. I am often at school way past 3:15, but this is just a common courtesy. Just something to think about. I don't care how long a meeting is, but if it's at the end of the day it is very considerate to say what Tzoya mentioned by asking the district to please reschedule so you can continue with all of the concerns/input you have. I've had IEPs go on for 2-3 hours.  One has lasted 1.5 hours on two different days.  There is no limit other than after 2 hours or so, nothing is really getting accomplished anyway. Taking the IEP home is a something we do every time now days.  Getting a draft would be nice, but get a fat red pen and mark it up.  And ask questions about everything that does not seem right. I'd also find out if you can tape record the meeting in your state.  That's handy if you have a question after the meeting. Dad2Luke&Alan39588.7663425926Also, it often pays to have a team meeting with all the personnel who work with your child as ANnual Review season approaches. That way, you can all get your cards on the table and work things out before the meeting drags on.  Getting all the paperwork to read ahead of time (this is your FERPA right) is a good idea.  Search FERPA here or on www.wrightslaw.com if you need more info.At our first IEP it was scheduled at 3pm and it was over 2 hrs and very stressful because we had a lot of questions.  I didn't like that the teachers had to stay overtime for it, I felt bad for them.  They should have said before the meeing that 3pm would mean a short 1 hr or less IEP and if we think we need more time than that to schedule it during the day so the teachers don't have to work overtime and miss out on time with their family and down time.  It did feel rushed.  I felt like that was the worst time to schedule it.  We had another IEP that was at 11 and then I felt like we had to finish quick so they could eat.  Next time I will be bringing dinner for the group, donuts, or something to it takes off some pressure.  I know they have to get someone to replace the teacher while she/he is at the IEP but ideally it would be nice to have an IEP at a time where everyone is trying to rush through it.  Especially for the 1st IEP!
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