Introduction to special education -- What is special education? -- What is an iep? -- Being your child's advocate -- Getting help from others -- Overview of special education law and the IEP -- Idea and state special education laws -- What idea requires -- Individualized education program -- Working with your school district -- Some overriding IEP principles -- Getting started : tips for all parents -- First steps -- Obtain your child's school records -- Getting organized -- Start an IEP binder -- The yearly IEP cycle -- Sample year in the life of your child's IEP -- Keep a monthly calendar -- Track your child's progress -- Developing your child's IEP blueprint -- Begin at the end : define your child's needs -- Preparing an IEP blueprint -- Other sources of information for the blueprint -- What's next? -- Evaluations -- When evaluations are done -- Evaluation components -- Evaluation plans -- Meet with the evaluator -- Reviewing the report -- Reevaluations -- Final evaluations -- Who is eligible for special education? -- Eligibility requirements -- Preparing for the IEP eligibility meeting -- Attending the eligibility meeting -- Joint IEP eligibility/program meeting -- If your child is not found eligible for special education -- Exploring your options and making your case -- Review the school district's information -- Keep tabs on your child's progress -- Explore available school programs -- Find out about related services -- Compare your blueprint with the existing programs and services -- Generate additional supporting information -- Independent evaluations -- Writing goals -- Skill areas covered by goals -- Developing goals -- When to draft goals -- Writing effective goals -- Preparing for the IEP meeting -- Schedule the IEP meeting -- The IEP meeting agenda -- Organize your materials -- Draft your child's IEP program -- Establish who will attend the IEP meeting -- Final preparation -- Attending the IEP meeting -- Getting started -- Simple rules for a successful IEP meeting -- Become familiar with your school's IEP form -- Writing the IEP plan -- Signing the IEP document -- Parent addendum page -- Resolving IEP disputes through due process -- Before due process : informal negotiations -- Typical due process disputes -- When to pursue due process -- Who can file? -- Your child's status during due process -- Using a lawyer during due process -- How to begin due process -- Preparing for due process -- Mediation specifics -- Due process hearing -- Hearing decision and appeals -- Filing a complaint -- When to file a complaint -- Where to file a complaint -- What to include in a complaint -- What happens when you file a complaint -- Lawyers and legal research -- How a lawyer can help -- Do you need a lawyer? -- Finding an attorney -- How attorneys are paid -- Resolving problems with a lawyer -- Doing your own legal research -- Online legal research -- Parent organizations -- Join a parent organization -- Form a parent organization.