1st Edition
Partners for Special Needs How Teachers Can Effectively Collaborate with Parents and Other Advocates
Learn how to collaborate with parents and special education advocates to ensure student success. This practical book shows you how to navigate the tricky path to meeting special education goals and outcomes. It also provides strategies to help you communicate and partner more effectively with families and specialists.
Part I of the book offers key information on how special education has evolved over recent decades and what the Individualized Education Plan process entails. Part II features techniques for strengthening communication so you can avoid conflict and create as strong a partnership as possible. You’ll learn the specific roles of advocates and parents, and you’ll gain practical strategies for communicating proactively and managing communication breakdowns. You’ll also uncover how to overcome the challenges of working with people during difficult times.
The book is filled with tips, examples, and reflection questions to help you implement the ideas immediately. With the essential strategies in this book, you can become the best support system for the child or children you serve!
About the Authors
Preface
PART I THE PRACTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Chapter 1 The Development of Special Education Practices
The Legal Environment
Considerations to Ponder
If It’s Not Legal, Consider It Illegal
Conclusion
Chapter 2 The Evolution of Instruction
Foundational Perspective of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Conclusion
Considerations to Ponder
Reflection Activity Worksheet
Chapter 3 The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Process
The Exceptional Learner
The Instructional Team: Changing "Me" to "We"
Gathering Evidence: Who, What, When, and Where
Discussing the Data: Who and What
Reviewing the Environment: Where and When
Analyzing the Problem: Why and How
The Eight Components of an IEP
Considerations to Ponder
Conclusion
PART II COLLABORATING AND COMMUNICATING
Chapter 4 Effective Communication and Meeting Strategies
The Communication Process
Nonverbal Communication
Language Barriers
Culture Barriers
Physical Barriers
Perception Checking
Communication Strategies for Meetings
Considerations to Ponder
Conclusion
Chapter 5 "Rule of Three": Working with Professional Advocates
Envisioning the 21st-Century Classroom
Instructional Implications
Considerations to Ponder
"Rule of Three"
Parents: Partners in Language, Communication, and Data Collection
Advocate: Mediator, Negotiator, and Objective Third Party
"Rule of Three": Teacher, Parent, and Advocate
Conclusion
Chapter 6 Advocating as a Parent
Considerations to Ponder
Parent–Teacher Partnering Tips
Advocacy Support
Know the Lingo
Conclusion
Chapter 7 How to Keep Parent Relationships Positive
Rule #1
Pay Attention to the F Word
The Importance of Being Proactive
Parent Involvement at School and at Home
Considerations to Ponder
Conclusion
Afterword
References
Appendix
Biography
Douglas J. Fiore is the author of eight books for educators, including School-Community Relations and Dealing with Difficult Parents, written with Todd Whitaker. Doug has served as a teacher, a principal, a professor, and a consultant, and he most recently served as a provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Julie Anne Fiore has been an educator for thirteen years, spending her most recent year as an Inclusion Intervention Specialist for middle school students. A proponent of partnerships, she insists that teachers engage students, parents, guardians, and those they hire in ensuring student success.
