Cancelled | All Sped Up: Collaborative Approach to Parental Engagement in Special Education

This presentation explores the critical "educational disconnect" between parents of students with disabilities and the complex special education system. While federal and state policies, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, emphasize parental advocacy as a core component of student success, many parents face significant barriers to meaningful participation. Educational jargon and complex educational language hinder parents and educators from fully engaging in dialogue. This session identifies common sources of confusion in special and gifted education communication and offers practical strategies to enhance readability and accessibility.. Participants will be able to: 1. View the educational system through the eyes of the parents and the potential barriers they may experience in their journey. 2. Apply clear and collaborative language to engage parents in meaningful conversations about students' needs, goals, and next steps. 3. Implement practical tools and communication strategies to build trust, address concerns, and continuity between home and school.