In our book, we describe how important it is for both parents and schools to have high expectations for children in special education. Without high expectations from all involved, the education process fails the child. In Part I of “IDEA and Expectations,” we discuss the problems created by having low expectations for children in special education.
Read moreSurviving Team Meetings
The Team meeting experience can be stressful and confusing for parents who have children in special education. We know, because we went through fifteen years of them. Over the years we gained some insights into why these meetings can be so emotionally draining and we’d like to share some thoughts on the underlying dynamics of a Team meeting and how to prepare and make them productive.
Read moreGatekeeping 101: Response To Intervention
An article in a Massachusetts newspaper in the winter of 2013, titled: “[Superintendent] Looking to Curb Sped Referrals,”1 highlights a growing trend of school districts actively discouraging the referral of students for special education evaluations.
Read moreRecording Team Meetings, Not That Simple
A number of special education experts, including Pete and Pamela Wright, recommend recording Team meetings for later transcription. The obvious advantage of doing this is that you have a complete and unambiguous record of what was said in the meeting that can later be submitted as evidence in a due process hearing. While that is true, we have never felt the need to record a Team meeting, and instead see some potential disadvantages in doing so.
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