Upload
milek
View
22
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Parents as Partners: Effective Team Skills. Parent Information Network Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services. Educate Yourself. The more knowledgeable you are, the more effective you will be. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Parents as Partners:
Effective Team Skills
Parent Information NetworkArizona Department of Education,
Exceptional Student Services
The more knowledgeable you are, the more effective you will be.
• Learn about your child’s disability and how it may affect his or her future.
• Study current research to learn about best practices in teaching students with your child’s disability.
Educate Yourself
Be proactive and learn about laws that pertain to special education.• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004
• Learn timelines associated with IDEA.• Learn how to participate in the special
education process.• Be familiar with your Procedural Safeguards
Notice (PSN).
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Be Organized
• Create and organize a home file.
• Examine and maintain copies of all records relating to your child.
• Keep a dated communication log.
• Keep copies of written communications to and from the school.
Preparation Is a Must
• Review your child’s current individualized education program (IEP).
• Ask if a draft of the new IEP is available before the meeting.
• Ask to review your child’s records.
• Talk with your child about his or her preferences and what works and what doesn’t work.
Preparation Is a Must
• Monitoring your child’s progress on annual goals provides you with information critical to evaluating the effectiveness of the child’s special education programming.
• IEPs should include a description of:• how progress on each goal will be
measured.• when periodic reports will be
provided.
Parental Input at IEP Meetings
Come prepared to discuss your child’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) in these areas:
• Academic
• Cognitive
• Communication
• Physical
• Social/Emotional
Parental Input at IEP Meetings
Make lists and prioritize your child’s needs for:• Goals you would like your child to
achieve.
• Specialized instruction and related services.
• Supplementary aides, services, and accommodations.
• Assistive technology.
Parental Input at IEP Meetings
Make lists and prioritize your child’s needs for:• Program modifications and/or
supports for school personnel.
• Participation in state and district-wide assessments.
• Extended school year (ESY) services.
• Educational placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
Effective Communication
• Consider and respect others’ opinions and perspectives.
• Make a list of questions and concerns.
• Be prepared with possible solutions.
• Express ideas and concerns openly and honestly without judgment.
Effective Communication
• Restate what others have said for clarification.
• Remain focused on what each speaker says rather than rehearsing what you want to say next.
• Use “I” statements.
Collaboration
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004
intends for parents to be active team members in decisions
regarding their child’s special education services.
Collaboration
Collaboration is the willingness to give up a central position and to join with others to discover new ideas or new solutions through:
• Communication.
• Team ownership.
• Recognition of individual differences and strengths.
• Group input.
Collaboration
IEP team decisions are made through consensus—a process for group decision-making that:
• Allows an entire group of people to come to a mutually beneficial decision.
• Promotes better solutions.
• Supports growth of community and trust.
What Kind of Team Player Are You?
Team Building Activity
Effective Teams
• Build positive relationships to make educational decisions
• Give each team member time to express his or her ideas or concerns
• Bring conflicts into the open and deal with issues
• Work together to identify barriers
• View all decisions as belonging to the team
Effective Advocacy
• Be on time for meetings or call if you are going to be late or need to reschedule.
• Request team introductions and the roles each member plays in your child’s education.
• Keep the focus on your child.
Effective Advocacy
Active team members:
• Take notes.
• Remain open minded.
• Remain calm.
• Find common ground.
• Practice positive conferencing techniques.
Effective Advocacy
Build positive relationships by:• Giving solutions an opportunity to
work.
• Acknowledging efforts made and thanking people for their help.
• Trusting that the school staff wants what is in your child’s best interest.
Effective Problem Solving
• Learn about your school or district governing board policies and procedures.
• Learn the importance of the prior written notice (PWN).
• Use written communication to clarify issues and express concerns.
Follow the Chain-of-Command
• Talk with your child’s teacher.
• Make an appointment with the school’s principal.
• Make an appointment with the school’s/district’s special education director.
• Meet with the superintendent of your child’s school district or the director of the charter school.
• Meet with the governing board and/or charter school board.
Dispute Resolution
Informal and formal dispute resolution options provided through Arizona Department of Education/Dispute Resolution (ADE/DR) include:
• Mediation
• State complaint process
• Due process
Dispute ResolutionMediation
• A free voluntary process requested by either parents or schools to resolve disagreements at any time involving any matter under the IDEA
• A structured informal meeting led by a qualified, impartial, and trained third-party mediator
• May also be used during the resolution period mandated as part of due process requests
Dispute ResolutionState Complaint Process
• Used by parents and members of the community when they believe a school is not complying with federal or state special education laws and regulations
• Addresses any alleged violation of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Requires parents to file a written complaint
• Includes an assignment of a complaint investigator
Dispute Resolution
Impartial Due Process Hearing• Used for resolving disputes related to
identification, evaluation, placement, and provision of FAPE
• Requires a formal complaint notice be sent to the school district and the Arizona Department of Education /Dispute Resolution (ADE/DR)
Dispute Resolution
Impartial Due Process Hearing• Includes a mandatory 30-day
resolution period
• Includes a hearing conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ), who decides the case based upon IDEA 2004, state laws and regulations, and/or similar court cases
• Decision is legally binding on all parties
• Is a formal and costly method to resolve a dispute
From the Parent Information Network Free Media Lending
CatalogWhen professionals and
parents meet to discuss a child’s goals, both sides will
find that comfort, confidence, and equality are
crucial to a successful planning partnership. This
encouraging DVD shows the way!
Thank you for attending and completing the evaluation.
For more information, contactThe Parent Information
Network Toll Free at1-877-230-PINS (7467)
or [email protected] visit the PIN website
http://www.azed.gov/special-education/deputy-associate-superintendent/pins
for the PIN Specialist in your area.
For Dispute Resolution, contact ADE/ESS at 602-542-3084 or visit the website:
www.azed.gov/special-education/dispute/