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"Can you imagine educating a child with a disability without a master plan? You do not know about the child's disability, how the disability affects the child's learning, or how the child needs to be taught. You do not know what services and supports the child needs."

"You do not know what steps you should take to ensure that your child receives appropriate services. You do not know if your child is making progress. You are not aware of obstacles you may encounter or how to resolve problems. Is it reasonable to think you will figure this out as you go along?" (Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy by Pam and Pete Wright)

If you are like many parents, you are confused about your role.  What do you need to learn? How can you ensure that the school provides your child with quality, appropriate special education services?

You need to understand your role, the school's mission, and how school districts operate. You need to make long-term plans for your child. You need to measure educational progress.

You need to make long-term plans for your child. You are the constant factor in your child's life. You represent your child's interests. If your child does not receive an appropriate education and master the skills necessary to be an independent, self-sufficient member of the community, you will deal with the outcome.

The Parent as Project Manager

Project managers organize, plan, monitor progress, anticipate problems, and ensure that jobs get done. On long complicated projects, a project manager is invaluable.

Your child’s special education is a long-term project. As the parent, you are the logical person to step into the role of special education project manager.

Learn the most common reasons why projects fail, and why you need to make plans, define goals, organize information, and build relationships. Learn about the skills, information and attitude you need to act as your child’s special education project manager.

Set aside time to organize information about your child, make long-term plans, write goals with timelines, and build working relationships with school personnel. View your job You will negotiate with the school on your child's behalf. Your goal is to get the school to provide your child with a good special education program.

The School's Mission

You need to understand the rules of the game - how decisions are made in your district and by whom, and how parents are perceived by school personnel.

The school's mission is to provide all children with a standardized education. School districts use a general curriculum to provide this standardized education to their students. Students are tested periodically to find out if the school is accomplishing this mission (these tests are often called high-stakes tests).

Generally, schools represent their interests. Schools and school boards are concerned about cost and efficiency.

Individualized Programs: Tailored to Unique Needs of Child

Special education is different. School staff and parents are required to design an individualized education program for each child with a disability that is designed to meet that child's unique needs that result from the child's disability. Your child's special education program is described in the Individualized Education Program or IEP.

The IEP includes important information about your child's present levels, the child's needs, goals and objectives, and ways for you and the school to measure your child's progress. The IEP describes the services and supports the school has agreed to provide. (See FAQs about IEPs)