The purpose of this paper is to support school professionals in their work with parents as they meet IDEA (2004) requirements during IEP meetings. The authors share tools to help recognize when IDEA principles are violated and provide alternative responses that school professionals and parents can offer. Definitions and brief explanations of the core principles of IDEA are included. Included are phrases that parents and education professionals should never hear during an IEP meeting. Case vignettes illustrate IEP team interactions.