special education

Required Readings/Preparation

Read up on the roles and responsibilities of special education teachers: American Academy of Special education Professionals (2006).  Staff Development in Special Education: Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Education Teacher.

Staples and Dilberto highlight guidelines for successful parent involvement: Staples, K. and Diliberto, J. (2000).  Guidelines for Successful Parent Involvement: Working With Parents of Students With Disabilities.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(6), p58-63.

Read this article by Bernadette Knoblauch to see the big picture of the parent/guardian role, rights and responsibilities: Knoblauch, B. (1998).  Rights and Responsibilities of Parents of Children with Disabilities. ERIC Digest via  Reading Rockets. ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.

Grade and age of the student plays a role in the IEP process; take a look at differences in the roles of students and parents from middle school to high school: IncludeNYC.org (2020).  High School vs. Post-Secondary Disability Laws.

Here, the Advocates for Children of New York created a guide to Special Education.  Please read through this guide and note how this resource may be beneficial to a family: Advocates for Children of New York (2016).  AFC'S Guide to Special Education.

Community supports are also a vital role in the lives of students who receive special education services.  Read: Warner, K., Hull, K, and Laughlin, M. (Oct. 2015).  The Role of Community in Special Education: A Relational Approach.

The role of community plays an exceptionally large role when a student is planning for post-secondary goals and/or is graduating from high school.  Read pages 23-28 of  A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities to see how the community connection is essential in the planning for employment, living arrangements, and addressing student’s social and emotional needs.

Additional Resources

There are many support organizations for parents to access. See Special Education Guide's comprehensive list:  Support and Resources for Parents and Teachers.

Videos

Stephanie DeLussey. (June 3, 2020).  Student Led IEP Meetings - Giving ALL Students a Voice (video; 31:09).  Ensuring the student gets a say in their own education, progress and needs empowers the student increasing independence, self-advocacy and accountability.  View this video about student IEP participation.

See how students with severe/multiple disabilities can be involved in the IEP process by viewing this  series of four videos at I'mDetermined.org.

Assignment 1 – 1 page

You are a first year teacher, and are excited to meet your students and get to know their families.  However, when you reach out to the parents through letters sent home in their folders, parents do not respond or send back any forms. 

Answer the following questions:

What are some exemplar practices to increase engagement with the parents of my students?

Assignment 2 – 3 pages

 you gained access to resources and materials in support of the explanation of the rights of children, parents, and the supportive role schools play. You also gained access to support organizations and community agencies that could support the student.

In this assignment, you will write a page paper explaining the rights and role of the student and parent, as well as the role the school and community play in the IEP/IFSP process.