Parent participation in the development of the IEP is one the most important principles of special education law. Federal law [34 CFR 300.322(a)(2)] requires IEP meetings to be scheduled "at a mutually agreed on time and place". In its efforts to ensure that parents attend IEP meetings, the district may hold a meeting over the telephone or through video conference, as long as the parent agrees. While districts may propose that the IEP meeting be held using alternative methods, this should be done only as a secondary effort. Parents do not have to agree to use these alternative methods and may schedule the IEP meeting at a mutually agreed-upon time and place.