This book is intended to help parents of students with disabilities effectively proceed on their own through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Chapters cover the following topics: (1) child advocacy; (2) basic legal concepts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the IEP, state special education laws, and some overriding IEP principles; (3) requesting evaluation and obtaining the child's school records; (4) getting organized, starting an IEP binder, and keeping a monthly calendar; (5) developing the child's IEP blueprint; (6) assessment components and assessment plans; (7) preparing for the IEP eligibility meeting; (8) exploring options and making a case for special education services; (9) writing goals and objectives; (10) preparing for the IEP meeting; (11) attending the IEP meeting and writing the IEP plan; (12) resolving IEP disputes through due process; (13) filing a complaint for a legal violation; (14) lawyers and legal research; and (15) parent organizations and special education. Appendices include copies of key federal special education statutes and regulations, addresses and Web sites of federal and state special education agencies, addresses and Web sites of 125 advocacy, parent, and disability organizations, and tear-out forms, letters, and checklists to help parents through the IEP process. (CR)