Annual IEP Review Guide

A comprehensive checklist and guide for conducting effective annual reviews

Why Annual Reviews Matter

IDEA requires that every student's IEP be reviewed at least annually to determine whether goals are being met and to revise the IEP as appropriate. This is a critical opportunity to assess progress, celebrate growth, adjust supports, and plan for the year ahead.

Timeline: Annual reviews must occur at least once every 12 months, but teams can meet more frequently if needed. Most schools schedule these meetings toward the end of the school year or at the beginning of the next school year.

Before the Meeting

2-4 weeks before

0/8 complete

Review current IEP goals and progress data

Critical

Gather input from all teachers and service providers

Critical

Collect recent assessments and work samples

High

Schedule meeting with all required team members

Critical

Send parent questionnaire about student progress

High

Prepare draft of new goals based on current data

High

Review student's general education performance

High

Consider need for additional evaluations

Medium

During the Meeting

Meeting day

0/9 complete

Review present levels of performance with data

Critical

Discuss progress on each current goal

Critical

Address parent concerns and priorities

Critical

Determine if goals were met, partially met, or not met

Critical

Develop new annual goals collaboratively

Critical

Review and adjust services, accommodations, supports

High

Discuss LRE and placement decisions

High

Plan for transition services (if age 14+)

High

Determine progress monitoring methods

Medium

After the Meeting

Within 1 week

0/7 complete

Finalize and distribute IEP to all team members

Critical

Provide parents with procedural safeguards notice

Critical

Communicate changes to all relevant staff

Critical

Update student information systems

High

Schedule any additional meetings or evaluations

Medium

Set up progress monitoring schedule

High

Document any follow-up actions needed

Medium

Key Considerations for Effective Annual Reviews

Celebrate Successes First

Begin by highlighting student growth and achievements from the past year. This sets a positive, collaborative tone.

Use Data to Drive Decisions

Base all goal and service decisions on objective progress monitoring data, not just subjective observations.

Parent Input is Essential

Actively solicit and incorporate parent perspectives on student needs and priorities for the coming year.

Think Ahead to Next Year

Consider upcoming transitions, curriculum changes, and developmental milestones when setting new goals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Continuing goals that have been met without revising them

Not collecting sufficient progress monitoring data before the meeting

Failing to consider changes in student needs or circumstances

Writing vague or immeasurable new goals

Not involving the student (when age-appropriate)

Overlooking the need for ESY or related services

Not documenting the rationale for decisions made

Quick Reference: Questions to Guide the Review

Progress Assessment:

• Did the student make expected progress on each goal?
• What data supports our conclusions about progress?
• Which strategies were most/least effective?
• Has anything changed in the student's needs or circumstances?

Planning Forward:

• What should be the priority areas for next year?
• Do current services and supports need adjustment?
• Are accommodations still appropriate and effective?
• What transitions or changes should we prepare for?