Other topics of prior SUPAC trainings include:
ADVOCACY 101: PARENT RIGHTS WITHIN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM
What is the parent's role in the special education process? Learn the basics of your rights and your child's right to special education services, how the process of developing special education plans work, and your role in developing an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that is responsive to your goals for your child. The benefi ts of parent/professional partnerships and positive, assertive advocacy strategies will be shared.
HELPING PARENTS AND SCHOOLS BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE PARTNERS: Special Education Mediation: A Collaborative Option for Resolving Disputes
Offered By: New York State Dispute Resolution Association, Inc. in collaboration with local Community Dispute Resolution Centers and New York State Education Department-authorized Parent Centers; A program of the New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities managed by the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA)
This three-hour informational session offered attendees an opportunity to look at conflict differently, learn about tools and resources to enable people to communicate more effectively and meet representatives from organizations available to assist parents and schools with communication issues.
SUPAC WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRAININGS
Each night we provided specific trainings geared toward assisting parents in establishing relationships with schools and districts followed by a roundtable discussion focused on the topic of the evening. Topics covered in these trainings included:
- All About the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans: What Does the Law Say?
- Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptations
- What Do I Do If I Disagree? Issues in Dispute Resolution
Establishing and Maintaining Effective Partnerships with Schools Districts
Good communication and partnerships with school districts can be an important component to creating a successful educational experience for students with disabilities. This training will cover essential elements of establishing and maintaining these relationships including parent awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities as a member of the CSE team, the role and responsibilities of the school professional, utilization of effective communication strategies, and working together to resolve disagreements. SUPAC will provide strategies, examples, and materials that will assist parents in their efforts to bridge relationships with school districts.
Preparing for the Beginning of the School Year: Establishing Partnerships from the Get-Go
This training covers the following topics:
- How to establish a partnership with teachers and other IEP team members
- Who should you meet with and when?
- What to do if you have questions regarding your child's services
Introduction to the IEP and CSE meeting
This training covers the following topics:
- What is an IEP?
- What is the role of each IEP team member?
- What kinds of questions to ask at a CSE meeting
- Your rights as a parent under state and federal law
- What to do if you disagree with other IEP team member
Behavior Support and Behavior Interventions Plans: How to be a partner with your school district
This training covers the following topics:
- How to act as a partner with your child's school and the IEP team
- What to do when your child is having behavior difficulties at school
- How to request a Behavior Intervention Plan for your child
- What is a Behavior Intervention Plan
- What are the steps the IEP team should take in developing and implementing a Behavior Intervention Plan
- What is the role of each IEP team member (teacher, parent, psychologist, administrator, etc.) in this process?
