ABSTRACT
This chapter provides specific recommendations about leading meetings that make it possible for school staff and parents to coordinate their efforts in ways that lead to improved student learning. It describes the rationale and purposes served by meetings, with an emphasis on instructional decision-making meetings. The chapter provides suggestions for organizing and leading effective, efficient, student-centered meetings that involve all participants, including parents. It shows how to organize and lead effective, goal-oriented meetings that involve all participants. The chapter describes the rationale, prerequisites, and processes needed to facilitate instructional decision-making meetings, including the use of guiding questions and checklists. The primary benefit of well-organized meetings is that they have the potential to have a positive impact teams working on behalf of students with disabilities and their families. Many professionals have experienced meetings that were unproductive, which may decrease motivation to attend and participate. The chapter explores specific requirements of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and the interconnections of IEP components.
