These feelings and events are frequently a part of the special education process.
Whether the meetings are Initial or Annual Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings, too often negative and detrimental feelings are prevalent. Their presence hampers the process and compromises the best interest of the student.
That is unacceptable.
Solution – Communicate the Procedural Safeguards & ARD Guide.
How often do you really talk with staff and families about the content and intent of these documents?
Many SPED personnel simply meet the legal requirement: Obtain a signature from the parents/guardians confirming they have received copies of them. But taking the time to review the content in detail is highly beneficial. While time consuming, it is integral to long term success. Widespread knowledge of the information can:
1. Prevent the need for litigation or mediation.
2. Reduce frustration and stress for the students, families, teachers, and other committee members.
3. Answer questions.
4. Resolve disagreements.
5. Preserve the best interests of the students.
The intent of federal law is that we not only provide this information in writing, but also ensure depth of understanding. The information in the Procedural Safeguards & ARD Guide is required by federal law for a reason. It’s important.
The Procedural Safeguards explains parents’ specific rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), and the ARD Guide contains information that parents need to effectively participate in an ARD committee meeting for their child. Strong communication in these areas has a powerful ripple effect:
· Better equipped teachers,
· More effective instruction,
· Stronger family connections,
· Elevated student achievement,
· Enhanced student, staff, and family satisfaction,
· Augmented knowledge of all stakeholders, and
· More targeted support from administration to build and maintain effective systems of support for both staff and students.
Facilitate the conversation about the Procedural Safeguards and ARD Guide at a beginning of year parent meeting, while obtaining Consent to Evaluate, or at the beginning of the ARD meetings. Add it to the ARD meeting agendas. Go beyond just handing the document to the parent/guardian. Converse over it.
Thoroughly train staff, prepare a summary document or a power point that can be used to discuss it with others, spend time really discussing it with the parents/guardians. Either designate a local staff member to conduct the training or hire an outside contractor but appoint an individual to become intimate with the information and to share it with those who are in the position to influence students identified as having a special need. There are many experienced and knowledgeable individuals who are informed, prepared, and enthusiastic to conduct an interactive, informative, and interesting presentation about the Procedural Safeguards & ARD Guide, including Wendy DeSpain. 😊
An avenue for facilitating positive change in special education – Train all stakeholders on the contents and intent of the Procedural Safeguards & ARD Guide.
Links/Sources:
The Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities & the Parent’s Guide to the ARD Process are found at the following site: Publications | Legal Framework (escapps.net)
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