PEAK's 2015 Conference on Inclusive Education was a huge success, and two of PEAK's Parent Advisors, Shirley Swope and Missy Sieders, had the following lessons and reflections to share with you! Lessons and reflections from Missy Sieders There are so many things I love about working as a Parent Advisor at PEAK. Talking with parents and helping families advocate for their children so they can realize their dreams despite the challenges they face is very rewarding. Seeing the "A-ha’s," onRead more

Question: I just had my son's Individualized Education Program meeting and wanted some time to think about it. The case manager said they need to "lock" the IEP. Does that mean the IEP cannot be changed for a year? What if the IEP doesn't work? Will all his teachers see the IEP? How does this IEP process work? Answer: The IEP process can be a little confusing! Even after an IEP is locked, the IEP team can make changes asRead more

By Guest Author Mary Schuh Close your eyes for a moment and think about the most important skills you use to navigate through your day. What comes to mind? Is it the way you neatly make your bed? Cross the street? Provide the correct change when you purchase your morning coffee? Answer "yes" or "no" to basic questions asked of you? Or perhaps getting yourself dressed or using the microwave to heat up your lunch? I'm doubtful these are theRead more

By Guest Authors Amanda Bock, PhD and Karen Erickson, PhD Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill For years, students with significant support needs (SSN) received little or no literacy instruction as their education programs focused on life skills, social skills, and vocational training. The little literacy instruction they did receive relied on teaching methods that we now know helped them learn simple component skills in isolation. For example, students matched upper and lowerRead more

By Emily A. Nusbaum, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Julie Maier, San Francisco State University, and Jeanne M. Rodriguez, California State University, East Bay Note: This article has been adapted from its original version. The design and implementation of an effective and meaningful educational program depends on which lens team members use to a view a student. If a deficit lens is used, the team will likely design a program and goals that limit a student's learning opportunities, accessRead more

By Guest Author John Tweedy, Esq., Robinson-Tweedy, P.C., Boulder, CO As a lawyer for students with special needs, I am convinced that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting remains the most important step in the special education process. Because decisions reached in IEP meetings are so crucial, disagreement and conflict at this stage are often unavoidable – even necessary. How we manage that conflict can make the difference between a failed IEP, leading to litigation or worse, and one thatRead more

By Guest Authors: Christi Kasa and Julie Causton-Theoharis The development of the IEP is a critical step that a student's team takes to communicate goals and share strategies that will support the student to reach those goals. Careful planning of the IEP meeting is essential when designing the services needed to support the child successfully. The team should take time when planning for the IEP to listen and learn from each other. When the team is focused on planning forRead more

When designed individually and implemented effectively, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is an important tool that helps assure a student's success in education. PEAK is excited to share Part Three of this three-part series, Making the IEP Work for You, where we explore key components of the IEP including: Evaluation (Part One), How Families Can Get The Most Out of This Valuable Tool (Part Two), and Progress Monitoring (Part Three)! If you missed the first parts in the series, don'tRead more

When designed individually and implemented effectively, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is an important tool that helps assure a student's success in education. PEAK is excited to share Part Two of this three-part series, Making the IEP Work for You, where we explore key components of the IEP including: Evaluation (Part One), How Families Can Get The Most Out of This Valuable Tool (Part Two), and Progress Monitoring (Part Three)! If you missed Part One on Evaluation, you can accessRead more