Family Resources

As a parent or caregiver, you are a vital part of your child’s IEP team. You bring expertise, insight, and advocacy that help shape meaningful goals and decisions. 

What you can expect as a team member: 

• You will be invited to all IEP meetings. 
• You can request a meeting at any time if your child’s needs change. 
• You have the right to ask questions, share ideas, and provide input. 
• You may bring a support person with you, such as a friend, advocate, or family liaison. 
• The school will provide interpretation services if needed. 

 Before the meeting, consider: 

• What is working well for your child? 
• What challenges or concerns do you want to address? 
• What goals do you hope your child can achieve this year? 

You can ask for a draft of the IEP ahead of time, request clarification during the meeting, and take notes to help you follow up. 

If you notice your child is struggling with learning, communication, behavior, or development—you don’t need to wait. You can ask for an evaluation at any time. 

Child Find is a program that helps identify students ages birth to 21 who may need support. This includes children not yet in school or those attending private school. For young children (ages 3–5), Highline offers free monthly screenings to check developmental milestones like language, motor skills, and learning. 

Learn more about how to request an evaluation on our Special Education Process page.