Are Students Included in Their IEP Meetings?
Updated: December 13, 2025. Reviewer: Dr. Rose Sebastian, Ed.D.
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Getting a Student's Input Into Their IEP
Many students graduate high school never having really looked at their IEP and having only a loose idea of what services and supports they are supposed to get.Up until transition age, IDEA just says that students “when appropriate” should be at the IEP meeting (34 C.F.R. § 300.321(a)(7)). There is no requirement of reading an IEP document with a student. Ever.At transition age or “not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16,” students are supposed to be at their IEP (34 C.F.R. § 300.321(b)(1))– although there is still an out of getting student’s input through other means.That means that students do not have to be at IEP meetings. They are the most important member of the team and the entire document and program is about them– but they do not really have to be there.Definitely not the “nothing about us without us” stance of the disability rights movement.
Who Writes the IEP
Do younger students go to IEP meetings?
IDEA just says students “when appropriate” at younger ages. Many parents don’t like having students at IEP meetings. They worry about the student feeling anxious, put on the spot, or hearing stuff that would not be good for their mental well being. Parent teacher conferences, however, have increasingly moved to being student led and centered. Meetings with students tend to be kinder, more simply phrased (less jargon), more solution oriented– and more likely to build students’ senses of empowerment.
It is possible to have students attend part of a meeting and then dismiss them. Even the youngest child can– and I would argue should– attend at least part of their IEP.
Do older students have to go to IEP meetings?
Older students — ones who will turn 16 or older during an IEP year — are supposed to be at IEP meetings where their transition from high school is discussed. Transition planning is part of the high school IEP so really that means most high school level IEPs.
However, IDEA has a loophole: “(2) If the child does not attend the IEP Team meeting, the public agency must take other steps to ensure that the child’s preferences and interests are considered.” What that means is that, in reality, students aren’t really required at those IEPs.
So older students should be at their IEPs, but there is wiggle room if folks, for whatever reason, don’t want them there or if they really don’t want to go.
What IDEA says in 34 C.F.R. § 300.321(b)(1):
(1) In accordance with paragraph (a)(7) of this section, the public agency must invite a child with a disability to attend the child’s IEP Team meeting if a purpose of the meeting will be the consideration of the postsecondary goals for the child and the transition services needed to assist the child in reaching those goals under §300.320(b).
(2) If the child does not attend the IEP Team meeting, the public agency must take other steps to ensure that the child’s preferences and interests are considered.
