Week 1 – May 3rd, 2022 Theme: IDEA Requirements of PTIs

The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), Section 1471 outlines the requirements of PTI’s. As a PTI, we are required to “Assist Parents to…communicate effectively and work collaboratively with personnel responsible for providing special education, early intervention services, transition services, and related services (IDEA, Section 1471 (b)(4)(B)).” https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-iv/part-c/1471

Week 2 – May 10th, 2022 Theme: Establishing Healthy Parent-Teacher Relationships

One of the most important pieces of our work is to help parents effectively communicate with schools in the best interest of the child. This article by the University of Nebraska can be helpful for parents in any state to learn about “Establishing healthy parent-teacher relationships for early learning success.”

https://earlylearningnetwork.unl.edu/2018/08/29/parent-teacher-relationships/

Week 3 – May 17th, 2022 Theme: Phrases for Parents to Use at IEP Meetings

Sometimes, parents might need some very simple phrases that can help improve understanding or get clarification. The Center for Parent Information and Resources has one Spanish and one English link to this article: 10 Defusing Phrases to Use at IEP Meetings

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/defusing-statements-iep/

Week 4 – May 24th, 2022 Theme: Differentiating Between Essential Components of Collaborative Problem Solving

Effective communication with schools may sometimes be difficult conversations to have with families. Sometimes other resources might be helpful in getting the information across. This video on understanding positions and interests identifies ways of understanding and communicating needs that can lead to improved outcomes. This video was created by CADRE (The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education).

https://www.cadreworks.org/resources/understanding-positions-and-interests-video

Week 5 – May 31st, 2022 Theme: A New Approach to Family Engagement

As the school year winds down and you begin to debrief with local school professionals, they may be seeking new and improved ways to engage families. Please feel free to share this resource with them entitled, “Embracing a New Normal: Toward a More Liberatory Approach to Family Engagement.”

https://media.carnegie.org/filer_public/23/f0/23f02c91-e9bd-46d6-b814-d63da8fc449d/fe_report_fin.pdf