IEP PARENT SUPPORT TOOLS!!

Family to Family Network recommends parents acquire, read and use the following resources:

** The 2012 IDEA manual (en espanol tambien)**

This resource is a must have for parents. 

It is available from The Arc of Texas or Disability Rights Texas websites.

A Guide to the Admission, Review and Dismissal Process or

Guia para el Proceso de Admision, Revision, y Retiro

This is a resource developed by the Texas Education Agency that is updated frequently.  Please note that parents should be provided with this resource at the initial ARD meeting and can be requested from your school.  The Acronyms and Glossary were removed from the Guide and placed on the Texas Project FIRST website.  Currently there is also a separate Addendum regarding Revocation of Consent.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards   or

Aviso Sobre Procedimientos de Proteccion

This is another resource developed by the Texas Education Agency that is updated frequently.  Schools are required to provide parents with a copy at least one time per year.  Please read the section on Prior Written Notice at a minimum.  This notice will also answer many of your questions regarding Evaluations, Independent Evaluations, Discipline, Educational records, Voluntary Private School Placement, Transfer of Rights, and Resolving Disagreements just to name a few topics addressed.

Texas Project FIRST website

This is an online resource that is developed by parents, for parents.  The site is arranged by age so you can access information when it is needed.  The site has links to Community Services (How to get your children on medicaid waiver lists, etc.), How to your child can receive special ed. services, IEP development, TAKS/STAAR/EOC, TEKS curriculum, etc.  It is also your source for Acronyms and Glossary definitions which are no longer in the TEA Guide to the ARD Process.  Lots of links to FREE online Training available also. 

Special Ed 101 (document highlighting the process) - pdf   En Espanol (pdf)

Portfolios - It is important to let others know who your child is despite disability being part of his/her life.  Learn how to create one here.   En Espanol

Stop by our office to see portfolio samples or to purchase a Portfolio Guide.

En Espanol - Disability Rights Texas - Video de Educacion - Guia para Padres de Familia sobre el Processo ARD

Sometimes, videos can speak a thousand words....

I Am Tyler - A young man with a disability tells about how people assisted him throughout school....and the importance of "Ability Awareness".

Many of the following powerful videos can be found on www.normemma.com

When the Moon Comes Up - Norman Kunc shares his views on what life could have been like had it not been for the choices his parents made.

A Credo For Support - A series of suggestions for people who care about and support someone with a disability.

From Puddles to Pride - by Janice Failka, a parent, who expresses that "there are no puddles of shame, only sunshine, and pride!" from www.danceofpartnership.com

Amanda Baggs, expresses In My Language what it is like to have Autism and On Being Considered Retarded  and what she thinks about that word.

OTHER VIDEOS:

PLAAFP! by Region 13 Education Service Center TV

Positive Behavior Support Makes A Difference: One Family's Story by OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & supports

Understanding Positions & Interest - CADRE The National Center on Dispute Resolution

Practical Strategies for Teaching Social & Emotional Competence - Center on the Social & Emotional Foundations for Early Learning