Introducing the New Hope Advocacy Parent Workbook Series

"I have a school meeting coming up. How do I prepare?"

It is one of the most common questions we hear from parents. An IEP or 504 meeting can cover evaluations, goals, services, accommodations, progress and placement, often in about an hour, with a table full of professionals. Parents are expected to take part fully in all of it, yet most are given very little help getting ready.

That is why we are proud to introduce the New Hope Advocacy Parent Workbook Series: practical, step-by-step workbooks that help families walk into school meetings organized, informed and ready.

Two Workbooks, Two Release Dates

• The Parent's 504 Plan Meeting Preparation Workbook: available November 3, 2026. Paperback, $24.99.
• The Parent's IEP Meeting Preparation Workbook: available November 6, 2026. 86 pages, paperback, $17.99.

An IEP and a 504 plan are different processes with different rules, so each one gets its own workbook. Both share the same mission: Prepare. Participate. Advocate.

Workbooks You Use, Not Just Read

These aren't books that explain the law and leave the rest to you. Each one is a preparation system you write in, bring to the meeting, and keep with your family's records. They guide you through the whole process:

• Before the meeting: organize records, clarify your concerns and priorities, and prepare the questions you want answered.
• During the meeting: follow your agenda, take notes, and capture each decision as it is made.
• After the meeting: track who is responsible for what and by when, follow up in writing, and keep your records ready for next time.

Written by Someone Who Has Sat on Every Side of the Table

The series is written by Dr. Teresa D. Simkins-Aris, Founder and President of New Hope Advocacy, who brings 40 years experience as teacher, administrator and parent advocate. She has helped families across the country get the services and supports their children need to succeed in school, and she created these workbooks to put practical advocacy tools directly into parents' hands.

Which Workbook Is Right for Me?

• The IEP workbook is for families of students who qualify for special education services. It focuses on IEP goals, services, progress and placement.
• The 504 workbook is for families of students who need accommodations because of a disability. It focuses on functional impact, accommodations and how they will actually be carried out.

Not sure which plan your child has? Check the most recent plan document from the school, or ask the school's special education or 504 coordinator. You can also compare the two workbooks side by side on our Books & Resources page.

Keep Your Records Within Reach

Your child's records tell an educational story. After the meeting, you can keep that story organized in the New Hope Advocacy Member Vault: secure storage for IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, meeting notes and letters, ready for the next meeting. See what membership includes.

Explore the Parent Workbook Series →