Parents as Partners: Effective Team Skills

1. Parents as Partners: Effective Team Skills Parent Information Network Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services

2. Educate Yourself 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.

3. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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).

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. What Kind of Team Player Are You? Team Building Activity

16. 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

17. 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.

18. Effective Advocacy Active team members: • Take notes. • Remain open minded. • Remain calm. • Find common ground. • Practice positive conferencing techniques.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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

23. Dispute Resolution Mediation • 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

24. Dispute Resolution State 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

25. 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)

26. 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

27. From the Parent Information Network Free Media Lending Catalog When 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!

28. Thank you for attending and completing the evaluation. For more information, contact The Parent Information Network Toll Free at 1-877-230-PINS (7467) or pins@azed.gov or 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/