Myth: An IEP meeting can’t be held without the parent
Fact: The school can have an IEP meeting without the parent if they have attempted numerous times and have documented such attempts that they have been unable to convince parent to participate. The are a variety of alternate ways parents can participate if they are unable to be there in person, such as by conference call. Always responds back to the school and let them know if the date and time suggested does not work. Then you can work with the school to determine a good time that works for all IEP members.
IDEA Part 300 / D / 300.322 Parent participation. (d) Conducting an IEP Team meeting without a parent in attendance. A meeting may be conducted without a parent in attendance if the public agency is unable to convince the parents that they should attend. In this case, the public agency must keep a record of its attempts to arrange a mutually agreed on time and place, such as– (1) Detailed records of telephone calls made or attempted and the results of those calls; (2) Copies of correspondence sent to the parents and any responses received; and (3) Detailed records of visits made to the parent’s home or place of employment and the results of those visits.
707 KAR 1:320. Individual education program. Section 4. Parent Participation. (6) An ARC meeting may be conducted without a parent in attendance if the LEA is unable to convince the parent that he should attend. The LEA shall have a record of its attempts to arrange a mutually-agreed-on time and place, which may include: (a) Detailed records of telephone calls made or attempted and the results of those calls; (b) Copies of correspondence sent to the parents and any responses received; and (c) Detailed records of visits to the parent’s home or place of employment and the results of those visits.