It's Time to Prepare for the Coming School Year

It's midsummer, the solstice. It's the longest day of the year. We've officially begun the downhill slide into the coming school year. Now is an excellent time to prepare for your child's upcoming special education needs. Here are tips to get started:

• Make a Special Education Notebook - Special education programs generate more paper than your tax attorney, and it is easy to lose track of them. One of the most effective ways I've found to deal with the unruly mess is to start a special education notebook system. Start by gathering all the documents you have and placing them in chronological order with from newest to oldest. Use a three-hole punch to make holes. Place the documents in an ordinary binder. A 2 inch binder will hold two to three years of records. If your child has complex needs such as behavioral or medical issues, you may want a larger binder. Label the binder on the spine as "School Records - Your child's Name." Write the beginning date beneath your child's name. When the binder is full, write the end date beside the beginning date, and start another notebook. Store your volumes in a discreet place in your home such as an office book shelf or filing cabinet. Check out more on organizing special education records from Terri Mauro. Also check out Terri's review of a commercially prepared special education organizer developed by a parent of a special needs child.

• Learn About IEP Teams - IEP Team meetings are an important part of your child's special education program, and parent participation is essential to increase her chances of success in school and in life. Knowing what to expect during IEP team meetings will help you participate actively and effectively in this important decision making process. Learn what to expect in these meetings and how you can prepare for a successful meeting.

• Learn About IEP Team Members - Lots of people show up at IEP team meetings. Who does what isn't always clear. Learn about the players on an IEP team and what their roles are.

• Study Your Rights as the Parent of a Special Needs Child - Often at IEP team meetings, parents' rights are quickly reviewed so the team can get on with discussion of your child. Review these procedural safeguards while there is time to reflect on what they mean. If you have questions, make a list. Research your answers here, or make an appointment to see or call your school district's special education administrator to talk about your questions.

• Learn About Your Role - As the parent, you are an important part of the decision making process. Learn more about your role and the important contributions that only you can make.

• Consider Parent Involvement - Now is a good time to reflect on how you may be able to contribute to your child's school community. Parent involvement in other areas of your child's school activities beyond special education is important. It not only supports the school and your child, but it also helps you make friends and develop social support networks.

Whew! Now that should keep you busy for awhile. These activities will help you prepare for the coming school year ahead of time, which should make the process go more smoothly.