Learn More
FAMILY AND EDUCATOR PARTNERSHIP RESOURCES
Welcome to a new school year filled with new beginnings and new opportunities! The Family and Educator Partnership is here to help you get off to a great start by providing materials to help improve family engagement in special education.
Research indicates family engagement can lead to higher grades and test scores, improved attendance and better behavior. And yet, most teachers share with us that they find it challenging to connect with families. Let us help!
We have assembled a file box for each building, filled with materials to help families understand and engage in the special education process. These were distributed over the last month. We have recommended storing these resources in the room where IEP meetings are most commonly held. As questions or concerns come up with families, you will have the appropriate resource to share. Have a family questioning if a special education evaluation is the right path for their student? Share the Child Find document with them. Is a child new to services in the area of behavior? Share the Functional Behavior Assessment &/or Behavior Intervention Plan booklets with the family. Sending out a meeting notice? Include a copy of ‘What to Expect at an IEP Meeting’. Have a family who needs more resources or is having a difficult time understanding the special education process? Share the FEP brochure with the family so they can reach out to us. The resources in the box have limitless possibilities and you can find suggested uses on the chart also enclosed in the materials.
If you would like electronic copies of these documents please see the next page or visit the FEP website at https://www.gpaea.org/services/iowa-family-and-educator-partnership-fep/. Near the bottom of the page you will find a table with a link to each document. Electronic documents are great to attach to an email or download and print yourself.
We hope that you will use these materials to help families be more engaged and continue to use them for years to come. Unfortunately, we are not able to keep up with all of the printing demands. If your school would like to order more please go to https://aeacreativeservices.org/. Once logged in you will click on ‘GPAEA Area Products' there you will see an icon for the 'Family & Educator Partnership'. From there you will find a list of all of the family engagement materials available.
We hope you will find these materials helpful. If we can be of any assistance to your team, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Annette Clarahan, 800-622-0027 ext. 5517, annette.clarahan@gpaea.org
Kelly Wallace, 800-382-0027 ext. 3034, kelly.wallace@gpaea.org
Does your child struggle with changing activities? Visual timers are ideal in assisting with transitions which can be especially difficult for children with disabilities. Would you like more information on how to make and use a Pie Timer? Click on this link to watch a short video that will help you learn how to make and use your own pie timer.
I3 IDEA Information
For more information on Special Education guidance, resources and procedures, please visit the i3 IDEA Information website.
 |  |  |
Supported Decision MakingSupported decision making is the act of supporting an individual with a disability to make their own decisions. This can include natural supports, case management, etc. Some examples of supported decision making can include: • Helping the individual understand issues and choices • Answering questions or providing advice • Providing an explanation in an understandable way • Communicating decisions with others This guide will help families find the information needed to make difficult decisions. | Secondary Transition Decision Guide – Learning What is the student’s Postsecondary Expectation (PSE)? This document has been created for IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of learning. This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school. This should be a starting point for creating an individualized plan and should be adjusted based on student need. | Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Working This document has been created tor IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of working. This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school. This should be a starting point for creating an individualized plan and should be adjusted based on student need. |
Supported Decision Making
Supported decision making is the act of supporting an individual with a disability to make their own decisions. This can include natural supports, case management, etc. Some examples of supported decision making can include:
• Helping the individual understand issues and choices
• Answering questions or providing advice
• Providing an explanation in an understandable way
• Communicating decisions with others
This guide will help families find the information needed to make difficult decisions.
Secondary Transition Decision Guide – Learning
Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Working
This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.
This should be a starting point for creating an individualized plan and should be adjusted based on student need.
