The Ready Seat. FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Last reviewed September 6, 2026. Federal rules are cited from IDEA regulations at 34 CFR Part 300. State rules vary. Educational information, not legal advice.
Short answers to the questions parents ask us most, about the kit itself and about the IEP process it prepares you for. Each answer stands on its own. Where an answer relies on federal law, the regulation is cited so you can check it.
What is The IEP Command Kit?
The IEP Command Kit is a $57 digital kit of 15 fill-in letters, forms, meeting scripts, and logs for parents preparing for a school evaluation or an IEP meeting. Every letter comes as a printable PDF and as an email template. It includes The IEP Ready Room, a free video course that explains how the federal rules work.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is plain-English education plus fill-in forms. For advice about your case, talk to an advocate or a lawyer. Using the kit does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone.
Will this work in my state?
It runs on federal law, which covers every state. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act applies to every public school district that receives federal funds, and its regulations at 34 CFR Part 300 set the floor. Where states differ, for example on evaluation deadlines, the kit tells you what to check in your state’s procedural safeguards notice.
My meeting is next week. Is there time?
Yes. Download now, fill in tonight. The first letter takes about ten minutes, and the Meeting Question Sheet prints on one page so you can bring it to the table.
What exactly arrives after checkout?
All 15 documents, the scripts, the logs, and the course link. Right away. No password. Your receipt contains a personal access link and a direct link to the first letter, and you can download every file to your own device.
Is the Learning Center really free?
Yes. Other people charge $97 to $199 for this. Yours comes with the kit. The IEP Ready Room is a library of short videos on the three laws (ADA, Section 504, IDEA), the six IDEA principles, the evaluation clock, who must be in the room, how to read an IEP, what appropriate means, and what to do when the school says no.
Is this for IEPs only, or 504s too?
Built for the IEP path. Most of it helps with 504s too. The request letters, logs, and meeting questions work for a 504 evaluation as well, because Section 504 also requires an evaluation before placement and a group decision that draws on information from a variety of sources (34 CFR 104.35). See our IEP vs 504 guide for the differences.
I am not a confrontational person. Is this aggressive?
No. Every letter is polite and professional. Firm and kind at the same time. The documents ask precise questions and put requests in writing, which is what a well-run school team expects from a prepared parent.
What is the refund policy, really?
30 days. Full refund. Keep the files. That is it. Email info@iepcommandkit.com within 30 days of purchase and we refund 100% of what you paid; you do not have to tell us why. The full Refund Policy is at iepcommandkit.com/refund.
Who is behind this?
A small team working with a special-ed teacher. Credentialed advocates check every page before it ships. The publisher is Wand Compliance LLC, doing business as The Ready Seat, in Richmond, Virginia. Reviewers are paid, and that relationship is disclosed. See the About page for the full editorial standard.
What is an IEP?
An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is the written plan a public school must develop for a child who is found eligible for special education under IDEA. Federal rules require it to state the child’s present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, how progress will be measured, the services the school will provide, and when and where they will be provided (34 CFR 300.320). The team that writes it must include the parents (34 CFR 300.321).
How do I ask the school to evaluate my child?
Send a dated, written request to the principal or special education director asking the district to evaluate your child in all areas of suspected disability, and keep a copy. The district must respond with prior written notice that either proposes the evaluation and asks for your consent or explains why it refuses (34 CFR 300.503). Our step-by-step guide to requesting an evaluation walks through the letter.
How long does an IEP evaluation take?
Under federal rules, the initial evaluation must be completed within 60 days of the date you give written consent, unless your state has set its own timeline, in which case the state timeline applies (34 CFR 300.301(c)(1)). If your child is found eligible, the meeting to write the IEP must be held within 30 days of that determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)(1)).
What is prior written notice?
Prior written notice is the written explanation a school district must give parents a reasonable time before it proposes or refuses to begin or change a child’s identification, evaluation, placement, or services (34 CFR 300.503(a)). It must describe the action, explain why, describe the information the district relied on, and tell you about your procedural safeguards (34 CFR 300.503(b)). A verbal no is not prior written notice.
What if I disagree with the school’s evaluation?
You have the right to request an independent educational evaluation at public expense if you disagree with the district’s evaluation (34 CFR 300.502(b)). The district must then, without unnecessary delay, either pay for the independent evaluation or file a due process complaint to show its own evaluation was appropriate. You can also use mediation, a state complaint, or due process (34 CFR 300.506, 300.151, 300.507).
Can I see my child’s school records before the meeting?
Yes. A district must let you inspect and review your child’s education records without unnecessary delay and before any IEP meeting or due process hearing, and in no case more than 45 days after your request (34 CFR 300.613(a)). The kit includes a records request letter for exactly this.
Do I need a lawyer for an IEP meeting?
Usually not for the meeting itself. Parents can bring anyone with knowledge or special expertise about the child, including an advocate (34 CFR 300.321(a)(6)). Many families never need a lawyer. If a dispute moves toward a due process hearing, or if the stakes are high, consulting a special education attorney in your state is wise. The kit prepares you for the meeting; it does not replace legal advice.
Does the kit collect information about my child?
No. The templates are completed on your own device, and we never ask for, need, or want your child’s records, evaluations, diagnoses, or any document containing student information. We collect only your email, your purchase record, and, if you choose to tell us, the state your district is in. See our Privacy Policy.
Is the content up to date?
Every guide and document shows the date it was last reviewed, and we update materials when the rules change. Federal statements are checked against 34 CFR Part 300 before they ship. State timelines are published only after verification for that state.
How is the kit delivered and in what format?
Delivery is by email within minutes of payment, plus a thank-you page that opens the portal directly. Documents are fillable PDFs with a matching email template for every letter, so you can print and mail, or copy and send. The Ready Room videos stream in your browser with no login.