Do I Have to Sign My Child’s IEP?

After the IEP team develops the initial IEP for your child, you and all other IEP team members will be asked to sign the document. By signing, you give your informed consent for the school to start providing special education services to your child. You don't have to sign the IEP at the first IEP meeting. If you want to carefully review the IEP before signing, ask to take it home. (You can use the IEP Checklist to make sure your child's IEP contains all the required elements.)

You have the option to agree to all, some, or none of the proposed services, programs, or placements in the IEP.

• If you decide to accept the entire IEP as proposed, indicate that by signing the IEP.
• If you accept only parts of the proposed IEP, indicate which items you agree to and which items you wish to dispute. Provide a written explanation of your disagreement and ask that it be included as an addendum to the IEP document.
• If you refuse to accept the proposed IEP entirely, indicate your disagreement on the IEP form. (You might be asked to sign the IEP to indicate your attendance or participation at the IEP meeting, which does not indicate your agreement. Be sure that your signature clearly indicates only your attendance if you do not consent to the proposed IEP.) 

If you dispute any or all parts of the proposed IEP, a second IEP meeting may be scheduled to try to resolve the disputes, or you can use dispute resolution options.