Understanding the Characteristics and Predictors of Student Involvement in IEP Meetings

Abstract

Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings are an important component of special education; however, few students actually attend and meaningfully participate in their meetings. Using a large-scale national survey, this study examined student attendance and participation at IEP meetings, and the predictors of these outcomes. Respondents included 1,183 parents of students with disabilities across all grade levels. Results indicated that only a third of students attended their most recent IEP meeting. Most students who did attend their meeting were not actively participating. Results from a factor analysis of participatory behaviors challenge previous conceptualizations of student participation. Predictors of student involvement included strength of the parent–teacher partnership, as well as certain student characteristics related to grade and disability type. Implications are discussed.