I Disagree With the IEP

If you've been through an IEP meeting and you don't agree with what the team decided — whether it's the goals, the services, or the placement — you have every right to push back. The IEP is supposed to be developed as a team, and your input matters. A disagreement doesn't mean you've failed. It means you're advocating for your child.

The Quick Answer

You do not have to accept an IEP you disagree with. You can refuse to sign, request changes, ask for another meeting, or pursue formal dispute resolution. The school must give you Prior Written Notice any time they propose or refuse to change something in the IEP.

Your Rights in This Situation

• You don't have to sign. There is no law requiring you to sign the IEP at the meeting. You can take it home, review it, and respond later.
• You can consent to part of the IEP. In California, you can agree to some services while disagreeing with others. The parts you agree to can start while you work out the rest.
• You can request another IEP meeting. If you feel like the discussion was rushed or your concerns weren't heard, put your request for a new meeting in writing.
• The school must explain its decisions. Any time the school proposes or refuses to change the IEP, it must give you Prior Written Notice explaining the decision, the reasons, and the data it relied on.
• Stay put protects your child. If you file for due process, your child stays in their current placement and keeps receiving current services until the dispute is resolved.

What to Do

1. Don't sign under pressure. If you need time, say so. Take the IEP home, read every section carefully, and identify exactly what you disagree with and why.

2. Put your disagreement in writing. Send a letter or email to the IEP team describing what you disagree with and what you think should change. Be specific — for example: "I disagree with the goal for reading because it does not address decoding skills" or "I believe my child needs 60 minutes of speech therapy per week, not 30."

3. Request an IEP meeting. You can request a new meeting at any time to discuss your concerns. The school must schedule it within a reasonable time.

4. Bring support to the next meeting. Consider bringing an advocate, a private evaluator, or someone else who can speak to your child's needs.

5. Request Prior Written Notice. If the school refuses to make the changes you're requesting, ask for Prior Written Notice. This document creates a paper trail and forces the school to explain its reasoning.

6. Consider your dispute resolution options. If you can't resolve the disagreement through IEP meetings, you can file a compliance complaint, request mediation, or file for due process. Each option has different strengths depending on your situation.

Learn More

• IEP Basics — What the IEP must contain and your role as a team member
• Dispute Resolution Options — Complaints, mediation, and due process explained
• The School Isn't Following the IEP — What to do if the school isn't doing what the IEP says