Understanding Special Education and Supporting Your Child’s Ability to Learn

1. Understanding Special Education and Supporting Your Child’s Ability to Learn NYC Parent Academy

2. Parents often have misconceptions regarding their role in the IEP or education team process. They may think they: • ..are less knowledgeable about instruction • …play a less important role than educators • …put barriers up when decisions must be made, particularly if they do not agree • …have unrealistic expectations of educators. Common Misconceptions NYC Parent Academy

3. The Roles of Parents on the IEP Team /Education Team: • Parents are vital to the team • Parents provide important background information • Parents bring useful ideas to the discussion • Parents chart their child’s future with every decision that is made. Parents’ actual Roles NYC Parent Academy

4. Parents Play a particularly important role during transition meetings/planning Transition meetings are held to discuss movement: • from one school level to another • from one program to another • from school to: • a postsecondary program • a job • an assisted living program (Logsdon, 2012) NYC Parent Academy

5. Only the parent accompanies the child throughout these important school and life transitions. • Parent input at each transition can ensure appropriate services and supports are in place and increase the chance of the success in the next environment. (Logsdon, 2012) NYC Parent Academy

6. The IEP team is charged with making educational decisions for students with disabilities. Parents are a part of this team! Parents are involved with all aspects: • Eligibility • Evaluation • Program Development • Placement of children in special education programs • Developing goals • Developing intervention strategies Parents are key members of their child’s education team… NYC Parent Academy

7. Parents Provide Critical Input that Only They Can Bring! • Parents know their children best. • Parents have the most complete understanding of a child's history: • physical • Social • Developmental • Familial • They are the only adults in the educational process who have been (and will continue to be) intimately involved throughout the child's schooling. • While they may not be educators, they bring years of experience in other professions and aspects of life to the process. • Ing (Logsdon, 2012) NYC Parent Academy

8. Parents Work More Closely With Their Children Than Other Adults Can! • Parents have the opportunity to sit side-by-side with their child, working on homework and other learning activities for extended periods. • Parents may be the only adults who closely observe students' work and get feedback from their children. • Consequently, no one else has the perspective of a parent in a meeting! (Logsdon, 2012) NYC Parent Academy

9. Whether it is academic work or following through with other types of IEP goals (e.g., self care, communication, vocational), working with your child on homework will keep you informed regarding what your child is learning and how well they are mastering their goals. One way to support your child is to facilitate home work completion and monitor your child’s performance … NYC Parent Academy