The Middle School IEP Meeting: 7 Questions Every Parent Should Ask
Apr 20, 2025Middle school IEP meetings can feel different from the ones you attended in elementary school. The team may be larger, the schedule more rigid, and the conversations more complex. Preparing the right questions ahead of time helps ensure your child’s needs don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Whether this is your first middle school IEP meeting or you're helping your child navigate 6th or 7th grade, these questions will help focus the team on the supports that matter most.
1. Who is my child’s case manager, and how do I contact them?
This person coordinates services and is often your main point of contact. Ask how they prefer to communicate: email, phone, or through a digital portal.
2. How will all of my child’s teachers be informed about their IEP?
With multiple teachers across subjects, it’s critical that everyone understands your child’s accommodations and supports from the start.
3. What does specially designed instruction (SDI) look like in middle school?
Ask for concrete examples of what SDI looks like during instruction. Clarify where it’s happening, how often, and who is delivering it.
4. How will executive functioning skills be supported?
Middle school requires organization, time management, and task initiation. If your child struggles in these areas, ask if goals, supports, or services are addressing them.
5. How will we monitor progress, especially during this transition year?
You should know how and when you’ll receive updates on IEP goals and whether a check-in IEP meeting will be scheduled after the first 30–60 days.
6. Will my child have a safe adult to go to if they are overwhelmed?
Transitions and new environments are stressful. Ask about emotional support, check-in systems, or a trusted staff member your child can turn to.
7. Can we review the Service Matrix together?
The Service Matrix should clearly outline all SDI and related services, including what they are, who delivers them, and where they take place.
The Middle School Transitions Toolkit includes a printable version of these questions, plus additional tools to help you get organized before the meeting. You'll also find templates, checklists, and resources to support executive functioning, communication, and school logistics.
When you bring focused, informed questions to the table, you help shape a stronger, more individualized plan for your child. That’s the kind of advocacy that matters.
