You do not need to be an expert to advocate effectively. Learn what meaningful inclusion and appropriate supports can actually look like for your child.
Free Resource for Parents & Families

Is your child truly included or simply present in the classroom?

Many families leave school meetings unsure whether their child is genuinely supported throughout the school day. This free parent checklist helps you better understand what meaningful inclusion, participation, and support can look like in real educational settings.

Designed to help families reflect on classroom access, participation, accommodations, peer connection, and team communication before their next IEP or 504 meeting.

"This checklist helped me think about my child's school experience in a completely different way. I finally had clearer language for the questions I wanted to ask."

Parent of a child with ADHD and dyslexia
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Is My Child Truly Included?
A Practical Checklist for Parents & Families
2-page printable PDF
  • ✓Classroom access and participation indicators
  • ✓Accommodation and support reflection prompts
  • ✓Social inclusion and belonging considerations
  • ✓Team communication and collaboration questions
  • ✓Scoring guide with suggested next steps
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25+ years in special education
Developed by Jeanine Leech, M.A., M.S.
Plain language, no jargon
Supports informed IEP and 504 conversations
Why This Matters

Inclusion is not just about where your child sits.
It is about what happens once they are there.

Many families assume that if their child is placed in a general education classroom, they are automatically included. Meaningful inclusion involves more than physical placement. It includes access to instruction, participation in classroom activities, appropriate accommodations and supports, opportunities for peer connection, and collaboration between school staff and families.

This checklist gives families a practical way to reflect on what inclusion may actually look like throughout the school day before their next IEP or 504 meeting.

Genuine inclusion goes beyond physical presence in the classroom. This checklist helps families better recognize the difference and feel more prepared for school conversations.
What You're Getting

Two pages. Print it. Bring it to the meeting.

FREE DOWNLOAD
Is My Child Truly Included?
A Checklist for Parents and Families · CE Press
1. Physical Access & Environment
The student moves through the classroom with the same ease as peers
Materials and workspace adapted to physical and sensory needs
2. Participation & Instruction
Student is actively participating not just present in the room
IEP/504 accommodations implemented consistently
3. Social Belonging
Regular, meaningful interaction with general education peers
Included in routines, transitions, and social activities
2-page printable PDF · Instant digital download
📋
A practical way to reflect on what inclusion may actually look like
Four categories of observable indicators designed to help families think more clearly about participation, accommodations, peer connection, and classroom support.
⚠️
Signs families may want to explore further
Highlights common concerns that can sometimes indicate a child is physically present in a classroom without fully accessing instruction, participation, or support.
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Questions to bring to your next IEP or 504 meeting
Parent-friendly prompts designed to help families feel more prepared, organized, and confident during school conversations.
📊
A simple scoring guide with suggested next steps
A structured reflection tool that helps families identify strengths, gaps, and areas they may want to discuss further with their school team.
Who This Is For

If your child has an IEP, a 504 Plan, or you are beginning to question whether additional support may be needed, this resource was designed for you.

You have an upcoming IEP or 504 meeting

Use the checklist before your meeting to help organize your observations, identify questions, and reflect on how supports and inclusion are working throughout the school day.

You feel like something may not be working, but you are not sure how to explain it

The checklist helps families reflect more clearly on participation, accommodations, peer connection, communication, and classroom support so concerns feel easier to describe and discuss.

You want to be a more informed partner in school conversations

This resource helps families better understand what meaningful inclusion and support may look like so they can participate in conversations with greater confidence and clarity.

What Parents Are Saying

From families looking for clearer answers and practical guidance

★★★★★

"As a parent, I spent so much time searching online and still felt confused. This checklist helped me organize what I was seeing at school and gave me better language for conversations with the team."

Parent of an elementary student with dyslexia
★★★★★

"I reviewed this before our IEP meeting and realized there were several things I had not even thought to ask about. It helped me feel more prepared and less overwhelmed."

Parent of a middle school student with ADHD
★★★★★

"I appreciate how clear and practical this was. It helped me better understand what meaningful inclusion and support can actually look like during the school day."

Parent of a student with intellectual disability

Get the free checklist before your next meeting.

A simple 2-page printable designed to help families reflect on inclusion, accommodations, participation, and classroom support before IEP and 504 conversations.

No spam. Just the checklist. Unsubscribe anytime.
About the Author

Created by an educator, advocate, and special education leader with decades of real-world experience.

Jeanine Leech
25+Years of special education and educational leadership experience
K–12Leadership across multiple educational roles and settings
ExpertClear, practical information families can actually use
Jeanine Leech, M.A., M.S. · Special Education and Educational Leadership
Jeanine Leech
Former Director of Special Education | Educational Advocate | Author

Jeanine Leech has spent more than 25 years supporting students, families, and school teams across public education. Her experience includes working as a paraprofessional, special education teacher, program specialist, behavior specialist, and Director of Special Education and Student Services.

Throughout her career, she has helped families navigate IEPs, accommodations, inclusion, behavioral supports, and complex educational systems while also collaborating closely with educators and multidisciplinary teams.

This checklist was created to help families better understand what meaningful inclusion and participation can look like in everyday school settings. It is designed to give parents practical language, clear reflection points, and greater confidence before entering IEP and 504 conversations.

Want the Complete Resource?
The Inclusive Learning Handbook helps families better understand learning differences, disabilities, accommodations, and supportive strategies in clear, practical language.
Designed for parents, educators, and support teams, this handbook covers 30+ learning differences and disabilities with strengths-based guidance, real-world supports, and inclusive educational practices families can actually use.
See the Full Handbook →
The Inclusive Learning Handbook
From $27.97
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Parent-friendly and easy to use.

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