Helping Parents Through the I.E.P. Process

At yesterday's meeting the team was reviewing the annual I.E.P. Of a child who has been in special education for a few years now. It is interesting to watch and listen as the special educator reviews the contents of the I.E.P. with the parents. If the parent doesn't ask a question, the special educator will continue reviewing the contents. Sadly, parents don't always know what questions to ask. When I (as the parent/child advocate) would ask a question about the contents the administrator would usually chime in with some excuse for why they were not going to include something in the I.E.P. I would then have to explain to the parent who would then tell the team that she did in fact want that included if it is supposed to be part of the contents of her child's Plan. This is such a poor way to handle the meetings. Why not just ask the parents if they have any questions? Why not take the time from the onset to just do right by the child and the contents of her I.E.P.?