An annual IEP review is a yearly meeting where your child's IEP team checks whether your child is meeting their goals and updates the plan for the next year. Federal law requires the review at least once a year, and you can ask for changes at the meeting or ask for a meeting sooner. This guide gives you a timeline, a checklist and clear ways to ask for changes.
Key takeaways
- Federal law says the IEP must be reviewed "periodically, but not less than annually" (34 CFR 300.324).
- In Texas, the annual review must happen no later than 365 days after the last one, under rules effective October 4, 2026.
- The team must consider your concerns, so write them down and share them before the meeting.
- Use data, such as progress reports and work samples, to ask for specific changes. If the school says no, ask for the reasons in writing.
- A reevaluation is a separate cycle and must happen at least every three years unless you and the school agree it is not needed.
What is an annual IEP review and how often does it happen?
Under the federal rules, the IEP team must review the IEP periodically, but not less than annually, to decide whether the annual goals are being met. The team must also revise the IEP, as appropriate, to address:
- any lack of expected progress toward the annual goals,
- the results of any reevaluation,
- information about your child from you or the school,
- your child's anticipated needs, and
- other matters.
Texas adds a clear deadline. TEA's 2026 update says annual reviews must occur no later than 365 days after the previous annual review. Other states have their own rules, so check with your state education agency.
The annual review is not the same as a reevaluation. A reevaluation is new testing. It must happen at least every three years unless you and the school agree it is not needed, and usually no more than once a year unless you both agree (34 CFR 300.303).
Annual IEP review timeline: what happens and when
The table shows a typical year. The first row is a suggestion, not a legal rule.
| When | What happens | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks before | The review date gets close and the school begins gathering data | Check the date of the last review. Ask for current progress data and any new testing. |
| When the notice arrives | The school must tell you early enough to attend and set a time and place you both agree on. The notice must list the purpose, time, location and who will attend (34 CFR 300.322). In Texas, notice is at least five school days ahead until June 30, 2027, then 10 calendar days. | Confirm the time works. Ask to join by phone or video if needed. Tell the school who you plan to bring. |
| The week before | Teachers and providers prepare their updates | Send your parent input letter and ask any questions about the data. |
| At the meeting | The team reviews goals and progress, updates present levels, and sets goals, services and supports for the next year | Share your concerns, ask questions and take notes. |
| After the meeting | The school gives you a copy of the IEP at no cost. In Texas, IEPs developed or amended from July 1, 2027 must reach you within 10 school days of being finalized. | Compare it with your notes and email any corrections. |
| During the year | You get progress reports. Small changes can be made by written agreement. | Track progress and ask for a meeting if goals stall. |
| At least every 3 years | The reevaluation cycle | Ask what testing is planned and why. |
Annual IEP review checklist for parents
- Find the date. The last review date is on your child's current IEP. Mark the deadline on your calendar.
- Gather your papers. Collect the current IEP, progress reports, report cards, state test results, work samples and any outside evaluations.
- Write a one-page parent input letter. List your child's strengths, your top three concerns and what you want next year. The IEP team must consider your concerns and your child's strengths when it writes the IEP (34 CFR 300.324).
- Ask for the data. Ask to see the present levels and progress data. If the school is willing to share draft goals ahead of time, ask for them. That is a request, not a legal requirement.
- Decide who comes with you. You or the school may invite people who have knowledge or special expertise about your child (34 CFR 300.321). Tell the school ahead of time.
- Know the team. It should include you, a general education teacher, a special education teacher or provider, a school representative, and someone who can explain evaluation results. A member may be excused only under the written-agreement rules in 34 CFR 300.321.
- Take notes and ask for plain words. If a term is confusing, ask what it means for your child's day.
- Do not rush to sign. If you are not ready to agree, say so and ask for time or a follow-up meeting.
- Send a thank-you email. Summarize what was decided and ask for the final IEP. It creates a record.
Our IEP progress report guide shows how to read the data you will bring to this meeting.
What should your child's IEP include after the review?
The federal list of required parts is in 34 CFR 300.320. Check that the new IEP has:
- present levels of academic achievement and functional performance,
- measurable annual goals, plus how progress will be measured and when you will get reports,
- the services, aids and supports, with a start date and how often, where and how long they will happen,
- an explanation of any time your child will not be with classmates who do not have disabilities,
- testing accommodations for state and districtwide tests, and
- transition goals and services once your child reaches the age set by law. The federal rule says age 16 at the latest, and Texas says age 14.
The IEP must also include a statement that your child has been told about rights that will transfer at the age of majority, beginning no later than one year before that age.
How do you push for changes at an annual IEP review?
Asking for changes is part of the process. It works best when you are specific, calm and backed by data.
- Point to the numbers. Try: "Goal 2 stayed at 40 percent across two reports. What can we change?"
- Ask for specific changes. Name the support you want, such as more minutes, a different group size, assistive technology or a behavior plan. The team must consider assistive technology and, when behavior gets in the way of learning, positive behavior supports (34 CFR 300.324).
- Raise extended school year. If your child loses skills over long breaks, ask the team to discuss it. Extended school year services must be provided if the team decides they are needed for a free appropriate public education (34 CFR 300.106).
- Share outside reports. If you have a private evaluation, give it to the team. The school must consider it if it meets the district's criteria (34 CFR 300.502).
- Ask for refusals in writing. If the school says no to a request, ask for prior written notice that explains why and what information it used (34 CFR 300.503).
- Know your next steps. You may ask for mediation, file a state complaint or request a due process hearing. While a due process complaint is pending, your child generally stays in the current placement (34 CFR 300.518).
How does the annual review work in Texas?
In Texas, the IEP team is called the ARD committee, short for Admission, Review, and Dismissal. The annual review is an ARD meeting. You get written notice at least five school days ahead unless you agree to a shorter time, and you can ask for a meeting in writing at any time. Read our step-by-step guide on how to prepare for an ARD meeting in Texas for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for an IEP meeting before the annual review?
Yes. U.S. Department of Education guidance says parents may request an IEP Team meeting at any time. Ask in writing, and ask for any refusal and its reasons in writing.
Can the school change my child's IEP without a meeting?
After the annual meeting, you and the school may agree to change the IEP in writing instead of holding a meeting. The rest of the team must be told, and you can ask for a revised copy. You do not have to agree, and you can ask for a meeting instead.
Do I have to agree with everything at the annual IEP review?
No. You can ask questions, ask for time, or say you disagree, and your options may include a follow-up meeting, mediation, a state complaint or a due process hearing. In Texas, you can also recess and reconvene and add a statement of disagreement to the IEP.
What if my child's annual IEP review is late?
Ask the school in writing to schedule it right away and note the date of the last review. In Texas, the rules say the annual review must happen no later than 365 days after the last one. If it keeps slipping, contact the district's special education director.
How is the annual IEP review different from a reevaluation?
The annual review looks at goals, services and progress and happens at least once a year. A reevaluation is new testing to see whether your child still has a disability and what they need. It must happen at least every three years unless you and the school agree it is not needed.
Want help getting ready for your child's annual IEP review?
You do not have to walk into the meeting on your own. SustainBL offers IEP support for parents, and you can Start the free IEP intake to share what is going on and what you want to change.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules can vary by state and district.
