PWN is an acronym for “Prior Written Notice.” Think of it as meeting minutes from your IEP meeting. But why does it have such a strange name? PWN means that the school system is giving you prior (before they start) notice of what the IEP team decided to do during the meeting. It’s a little strange to get this “notice” since you were there and hopefully feel that you were a full participant in the meeting and decision making. Don’t worry so much about the name. Just think of the Prior Written Notice as meeting minutes and make absolutely sure that the document reflects what actually happened in the meeting.
•Review the team’s minutes (PWN/Prior Written Notice).
TIP: If they don’t include everything of importance that happened in the meeting, send an email and ask that they revise the PWN and that your email be included with the minutes. Be sure your position was correctly documented. Correct anything that is misleading or wrong.
TIP: If another team member said something that supports YOUR position, make sure that in addition to your position being documented, it is documented that the other team member agreed.
•If you have asked for something and the team has refused, the refusal and reasons for refusal must be documented in the PWN. Again the REASON the team refused must be included.
•If the team has recommended something and you have concerns, your concerns and the basis for those concerns should be documented.
TIP: The meeting summary should be detailed enough so that someone can pick up the document and understand what happened at the meeting and how the team reached its decisions.
Why Does PWN Matter?
Understanding the importance of PWN is key. It’s not just a formality; it’s a critical record of what transpired during the IEP meeting. This document ensures that there’s a clear, written record of the decisions made, the recommendations, any refusals, and the basis for those decisions. It’s an invaluable tool for you, as a parent, to hold the school system accountable and to protect your child’s rights. So, don’t let the peculiar name throw you off; it is a way to document what happened at the meeting. This document will be referred to in the future– especially if there is any controversy or disagreement about what your child needs, what services or accommodations they have been getting, or how much progress they are making.
Which brings us to something critical: YOU MAY ALSO RECORD IEP MEETINGS. Advise the team in advance that you plan to do so, and make your own recording. Maryland law specifically allows parents to do this for IEP meetings.
Unlocking the Power of the PWN
- Reviewing the Team’s Minutes
First, do a careful review of the team’s minutes/PWN. This document should be thorough and include all the essential details of the meeting. However, if you find that some crucial information is missing, you have the right to request that your corrections be included along with the minutes. This ensures that the document accurately reflects the proceedings.
- Highlighting Your Perspective
One useful tip is to scrutinize the Prior Written Notice for any statements or remarks that you made and also those that align with your position or concerns. Having these things documented can be a game-changer in asserting your child’s needs and rights later.
- Documenting Refusals and Concerns
Another vital aspect of PWN is the documentation of refusals and concerns. If you’ve requested something during the meeting, and the team has refused, the reasons for that refusal should be clearly stated in the document. Similarly, if the team has recommended a course of action that raises concerns for you, it’s essential to have your concerns and the basis for those concerns documented in the Prior Written Notice.
- Ensuring Clarity and Transparency
The ultimate goal of the Prior Written Notice is to provide clarity and transparency. It should be detailed enough so that anyone, whether it’s a teacher, another district, or even a future IEP team, can pick up the document and fully understand what transpired during the meeting. This level of detail is essential to ensure that decisions are made based on a complete and accurate understanding of the child’s needs and the reasoning behind the IEP team’s decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do if the Prior Written Notice (PWN) is incomplete or inaccurate?
A: If you find that the PWN is missing essential information or contains inaccuracies, you have the right to request that your corrections be included along with the minutes. This helps ensure that the document accurately reflects the proceedings of the IEP meeting.
Q: Can the Prior Written Notice (PWN) be used as evidence in legal disputes?
A: Yes, the PWN can serve as valuable evidence in legal disputes, such as due process hearings. It provides a documented record of the decisions, recommendations, refusals, and concerns raised during the IEP meeting.
Q: Is it necessary to scrutinize the Prior Written Notice (PWN) even if the IEP meeting seemed to go smoothly?
A: Yes, it’s essential to review the PWN thoroughly, even if the meeting appeared to go smoothly. This ensures that everything discussed during the meeting is accurately documented and provides you with a clear understanding of the decisions made.
Q: Can the Prior Written Notice (PWN) be used to make changes to the IEP?
A: While the PWN primarily serves as a record of the IEP meeting, it can be a useful tool to request changes or revisions to the IEP if you believe that important information was omitted or inaccurately recorded. This often happens when during a meeting the team makes one decision but that decision inadvertently gets left off the actual IEP. Make sure all the decisions actually translate to the IEP as well.
Q: How long should I keep copies of Prior Written Notices (PWNs) and other IEP-related documents?
A: It’s advisable to keep copies of PWNs and other IEP-related documents for an extended period, as they may be needed for reference in the future, especially if legal disputes or revisions to the IEP arise. Computerized record keeping makes this easier. You can ask the school to send you everything via email so you can easily file it on your computer or a server like Google Docs.
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