Do students have to attend their IEP meetings at age 14?
According to IDEA, a student must be invited to the IEP meeting at age 14 to discuss transition. As a best practice, student attendance at IEP meetings should be encouraged. The benefits for the student include an understanding of the disability and its educational implications, the concept of teaming, and the opportunity to participate in self-advocacy about decisions that affect his/her future. This encourages the student to assume responsibility for activities and goals. Students need to be informed of the purpose of IEP team planning, the protocol of the meetings, and the roles of the team members. Student input is important even if he/she is only present for part of the meeting. Many students successfully facilitate their own IEP meetings.
