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What Parents of Students with Disabilities Need to Know About the Implementation of an IEP Session 3 of Talking with Parents of Students with Disabilities Webinar Series January 26, 2012 Kristen Parsons
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
PaTTAN’s Mission The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services.
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PDE’s Commitment to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Our goal for each child is to ensure
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
teams begin with the general
education setting with the use of
Supplementary Aids and Services
before considering a
more restrictive environment.
Objectives During this webinar you will learn effective strategies for: • Communicating with parents • Sharing data • Securing resources to ensure students’ IEPs are implemented with fidelity
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Why Parent Involvement?
• Better School Attendance • Higher Test Scores • Higher Grades
• Better Social Skills • Better Adaptation to School • Post Secondary Education More Likely
(National Parent Teacher Association, 2009)
Why Parent Involvement? • Parents express a genuine and deep-seated desire to help their children succeed academically, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and cultural background (Mapp, 2004).
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Parents are Important • Parents know their child better than anyone else. • Parents have the most invested in his/her future. • Parents are the one constant in the child’s life. 7
You need to know… • Meaningful parent involvement has a direct positive impact on student achievement, leaving us with the responsibility to make parent involvement “meaningful”.
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Prior to the meeting… • Provide parents with some background information: – Purpose of the meeting – Their rights and timeline in the process – Who will attend the meeting and the purpose of their attendance – A timeframe for the meeting so that they may plan their schedules – An agenda for the meeting. Let them know that they can add items to the agenda! – Send a reminder note or call the parents the day before the meeting
Make Parents Feel Welcome • As soon as the parent steps foot in the building the stage has been set. • If you can not greet the family yourself make sure the office staff is aware of the meeting, who is involved, and were the meeting will be held. • Consider having refreshments available.
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Remember… • Parents may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people attending the meeting. Use a round table, if possible, so that the meeting has a more collaborative feel. Avoid the “firing line”. • It can be very distracting when staff walk in and out of the meeting because of their schedules. As professionals we need to be sensitive to how distracting this may be.
During the meeting… • Give recognition for efforts being made, accomplishments, good communication, etc. • Identify who is attending the meeting. This may be the first time the parents meet itinerants. • Start off with the student’s positives. • Communicate concerns in a respectful manner. • Offer possible solutions and support to help solve existing issues.
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During the meeting… • Use parent friendly terms. Educators have their own language and this may be intimidating for parents. • Ask parents open ended questions to check their understanding. • Invite parents to ask questions. • Avoid the glazed look and head nod.
During the meeting… • Ask for parent input on IEP goals. • Do not have all the goals written on the IEP. • The IEP is about team involvement and we need parent input!
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Data • Explain… – – – –
The purpose of the data The type of data collected How the data is collected How frequently it is collected
Keep the focus on the student! • Set your emotions aside. • You will be better understood when you express yourself calmly. • Keep in mind the meeting is about the child. We all want the child to succeed. • Avoid the turning point when it turns into a “battle of the wills”.
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Remember • Keep n otes on all communications and meetings. • Keep copies of all reports, assessments, and/or recommendations. • Organize your notes and records.
After the Meeting • A large amount of information is given to the parents in a short amount of time. It may take a few days for families to process all the information. • Provide the family a written summary of the meeting.
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What schools should consider… • Trainings and workshops for parents can provide an opportunity for families to gain knowledge and make connections with other parents. • Establishing a communication protocol for sharing news, updates, strategies, and concerns.
PaTTAN Publications
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PaTTAN Publications
PaTTAN Publications
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Resources • Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) – Hispanics United for Exceptional Children (HUNE) – Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center (PEAL) – Parent Education Network (PEN) – The Mentor Parent Program
• Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
Resources Additional Training Opportunities What Parents of Students with Disabilities Need to Know About Student Voice in the IEP Process Feb. 23, 2012
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
What School Leaders Need to Know About Strategies to Increase Engagement in Parent Trainings April 26, 2012
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
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Resources http:www.pattan.net
http://www.pde.state.us
Better IEP Meetings, 2005 by Barbara Bateman. Cynthia and Herr Better IEPs, 2006 by Barbara Bateman Creating a Win-Win IEP, 1999 by Beth Fouse How to Compromise with Your School District without Compromising Your Child, 2004 by Gary Mayerson
References • Bateman, B., Linden,M. Better IEPs: How to Develop Legally Correct and Educationally Useful Programs • Wilmshurst, A. An Overview of the Special Needs Education System for Those New to the Process • Wright, P., Wright, P. 1999 Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide • Wright, P., Wright, P. Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition
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Contact Information
www.pattan.net
Kristen Parsons, PaTTAN Hbg
[email protected]
800.360.7282, ext. 3319
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett, Governor Pennsylvania Department of Education Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary Office for Elementary and Secondary Education John J.Tommasini, Director Bureau of Special Education Patricia Hozella,Assistant Director Bureau of Special Education
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