Tips for Special and Gifted Education

By: Marissa Post and Sabra Townsend

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Develop a rapport with Teachers, Principal, Special Education Liaison (SEL), Aides, Therapists & school RN.
Ask for your student’s daily schedule.
Get names and contact information for all staff that interact with your student.
Ask to observe your child in different classrooms, lunch and recess. Take observation notes to use at your meetings.
Keep correspondence with the school in writing via email. If you have a conversation about your child’s education, document the conversation in a follow-up email.
Ask for Invitations and process documents electronically and photograph/scan documents if you sign and return them. Send photo/scanned documents to school via email
Meet other parents and aides. Build allies with people in the school.
Remember, inclusion is the first option, not something that is ‘earned’ https://www.pattan.net/supports/inclusive-practices/
Keep a binder, folder or file drawer for your student’s records
Review Education Law Center publication: Right to Special Education
Play an active role in the creation and implementation of your Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Know the forms and parts of the process. https://www.pattan.net/forms/ Evaluations and Re-Evaluations (PTE-Permission to Evaluate/PTRE-Permission to Re-evaluate, Invitations to Participate, IEP (Individualized Education Plan), NOREP (Notice of Recommended Educational Placement)

Know the deadlines for documents and processes PDE/Pattan Timelines (PA Department of Education) Keep track of all Invitations and Meetings. You have rights to meet at a mutually agreeable time https://www.pattan.net/publications/special-education-timelines/
Get comfortable asking questions such as “What strategy is used for ….” What does that look like for my student?
Meet your bus driver and bus aide, find out the garage. SEL should file a Transportation Action Request (TAR) for any changes. Get the TAR #.
Encourage your student and his teaching team to help find and develop new friendships at school. Ask about after school activities and social skills opportunities for your child.

Special education