Special Education Boss

Can parents volunteer in their child's ESY program? Karen explains an important distinction: Extended School Year (ESY) is an educational service provided by the school district, not a traditional summer camp or volunteer program. While parents may want to help in the classroom, opportunities to participate directly depend on district policies and program arrangements. But that doesn't mean parents can't stay involved! Ask about your child's ESY goals, communicate with the team, and find out how you can support those skills at home. Being involved doesn't always mean being physically present! #SpecialEducationBoss #ESY #ExtendedSchoolYear #IEPAdvocacy #ParentInvolvement #SpecialEducation #ParentRights

Should your child's IEP goals depend on a specific school program? Karen discusses an important question about early childhood special education: What happens when a district says a social skills or community goal is tied to a particular program? For children ages 3–5, placement decisions should focus on their individual needs, appropriate services, and opportunities to learn alongside peers without disabilities. The question isn't just what the program offers. It's whether your child is actually benefiting from it! Parents, ask how the proposed placement supports your child's IEP goals and developmental needs. #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #EarlyChildhoodSpecialEducation #PreschoolIEP #IEPGoals #SpecialEducation #ParentRights

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is make someone feel HEARD! Tactical empathy is about seeing a situation from another person's perspective, recognizing their concerns, and acknowledging what they might be feeling. Whether you're navigating an IEP meeting or a difficult conversation with an educator, understanding the other person's perspective can help reduce defensiveness and build trust. You don't have to agree with someone to make them feel understood! Because better communication starts with empathy. #SpecialEducationBoss #TacticalEmpathy #IEPAdvocacy #IEPMeetings #SpecialEducation #EffectiveCommunication #ParentTeacherCollaboration

Parents, start HERE when reviewing your child's IEP! Karen shares two important things every parent should look for in their child's IEP: Assessments: Have all areas of suspected disability-related need been evaluated? Present Levels (PLAAFP): Are all identified needs accurately reflected in the document? Your child's present levels are the FOUNDATION of the IEP. They help determine which goals, services, and supports are necessary. If a need is missing from the foundation, it could be overlooked in the plan! Don't be afraid to ask questions and share what you see at home. Your input matters! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #PLAAFP #IEPGoals #ParentRights #SpecialEducation #IEPMeetings

Are your child's IEP goals actually connected to their NEEDS? Karen reminds parents that every IEP goal should be supported by the student's Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP). And remember, an IEP isn't just about academics! Communication, social-emotional development, and functional skills can be just as important when identifying areas that need specially designed instruction. Parents, ask yourself: Does my child's IEP address ALL areas of identified need? Because meaningful progress starts with understanding the whole child! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #IEPGoals #PLAAFP #SpecialEducation #ParentRights #SpecialEducationSupport

ESY isn't just summer school. So what's the PURPOSE? Karen breaks down why Extended School Year (ESY) services must be based on your child's individual needs—not simply on what summer programs a district happens to offer. ESY often focuses on maintaining critical skills and preventing significant regression, but eligibility and services must be determined individually. Before agreeing to an ESY program, ask: What specific IEP needs will this address, and how will the services support my child? Because every service should have a purpose! #SpecialEducationBoss #ESY #ExtendedSchoolYear #IEPAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #ParentRights #IEPGoals

Ready to take your IEP advocacy skills to the NEXT LEVEL? Karen shares the different ways parents, educators, and advocates can participate in Special Education Academy's two-day intensive trainings! Whether you prefer an in-person experience or the flexibility of virtual, on-demand learning, there are opportunities to build your knowledge and strengthen your advocacy skills. Upcoming live training dates and availability may vary, so stay connected for the latest announcements! Because informed advocacy makes a difference! #SpecialEducationBoss #SpecialEducationAcademy #IEPAdvocacy #IEPTraining #ParentEmpowerment #SpecialEducation #AdvocacyTraining

Want to change a difficult conversation? Make the other person feel HEARD! Sandy shares a powerful tactical empathy technique called an Accusations Audit—acknowledging what someone might be feeling before they even say it. When teachers feel overwhelmed by paperwork and requests, recognizing their frustration can open the door to better communication. The goal isn't to win an argument. It's to build understanding while keeping students' needs at the center. A little empathy can go a long way in IEP meetings, classrooms, and everyday conversations! #SpecialEducationBoss #TacticalEmpathy #AccusationsAudit #IEPAdvocacy #TeacherCommunication #SpecialEducation #ParentTeacherCollaboration

Your first IEP meeting can feel OVERWHELMING. You're not alone! Karen shares a deeply personal memory of her son's early special education journey, when her biggest fear was whether his behaviors would get him kicked out of school. For many parents, IEP meetings are filled with unfamiliar terminology, complicated documents, and difficult emotions. You don't have to understand every educational term to be a meaningful member of your child's IEP team. Ask questions. Share your concerns. And remember, your knowledge of your child matters! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #ParentRights #IEPMeetings #SpecialEducation #ParentEmpowerment #SpecialNeedsParenting

How far into the future should an IEP goal go? Karen explains why timelines matter when developing annual IEP goals and why teams should focus on the student's current needs and expected progress. While many schools plan around approximately 36 instructional weeks, IDEA requires annual goals—not a universal 36-week limit. The key is to create measurable goals with appropriate timelines, using the student's present levels and available data rather than making assumptions about future needs. An effective IEP focuses on meaningful progress, not predictions! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #IEPGoals #SpecialEducation #AnnualIEP #MeasurableGoals #StudentProgress

Can a school decide ESY eligibility with just a checklist? Karen discusses why parents should understand how Extended School Year (ESY) eligibility is determined. ESY decisions should be individualized and made by the IEP team based on the student's needs—not simply communicated through a checklist without meaningful team consideration. If you're unsure about your school's process, reach out to your State Department of Education and ask about its ESY eligibility criteria and procedures. Parents, you deserve to understand HOW and WHY ESY decisions are being made for your child! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #ESY #ExtendedSchoolYear #IEPMeetings #SpecialEducation #ParentRights

Your child has an autism diagnosis… but it's NOT listed on their IEP. Does that matter? Karen explains the difference between a medical diagnosis and educational eligibility under IDEA. An autism diagnosis doesn't automatically mean a student qualifies under the Autism eligibility category. The IEP team must consider evaluation results and how the disability affects the student's educational needs. But here's what's important: Your child's IEP must address ALL identified disability-related needs, regardless of the eligibility label! Parents, ask whether the evaluation fully captures your child's needs and whether the IEP provides appropriate support. #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #Autism #ADHD #OtherHealthImpairment #SpecialEducation #ParentRights

Want better conversations at IEP meetings? Start with EMPATHY! Sandy explains how tactical empathy can help parents and educators navigate difficult conversations without creating unnecessary conflict. When a teacher feels overwhelmed by repeated requests for information, acknowledging that frustration can help lower defensiveness. Instead of immediately pushing your own perspective, try understanding what the other person is experiencing. Tactical empathy isn't about agreeing with someone. It's about making them feel heard so you can move the conversation forward! Because better communication can lead to better collaboration for students with disabilities. #SpecialEducationBoss #TacticalEmpathy #IEPAdvocacy #IEPMeetings #ParentTeacherCommunication #SpecialEducation #CollaborativeAdvocacy

A strong IEP starts with a strong FOUNDATION! Karen highlights one of the most overlooked problems in special education: poorly written Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP). Think of an IEP like a house. If the foundation is weak, everything built on top of it can be affected. Without accurate assessments and clear present levels, how can the IEP team develop appropriate goals, services, and supports? Before focusing on the goals, make sure the IEP accurately describes where your child is RIGHT NOW! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #PLAAFP #PresentLevels #IEPGoals #SpecialEducation #ParentRights

IEP goals can CHANGE before the annual review! Karen explains why timelines matter when writing measurable IEP goals. Imagine a student starts the school year with a reading goal focused on decoding, but new progress data reveals that reading fluency is the greater need. The IEP team doesn't have to wait until the next annual review to make adjustments! Goals can be revised as a student's needs change, but the new goal must include a clear, measurable target and an appropriate timeframe. Remember, annual IEP timelines and instructional weeks aren't always the same. What matters is creating goals that reflect the student's current needs and expected progress. #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #IEPGoals #ProgressMonitoring #SpecialEducation #IEPAmendment #StudentProgress

Is your child actually READING… or just reading the pictures? Karen explains how some students use illustrations, familiar characters, and predictable storylines to figure out what's happening in a book. While picture clues can support comprehension, they don't always tell us whether a child can independently decode and read the words. That's why it's important to use unfamiliar reading passages when assessing a student's reading skills. Parents, make sure you're measuring what your child can actually READ, not just what they can recognize or predict! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #ReadingSkills #ReadingAssessment #LiteracyDevelopment #SpecialEducation #ReadingComprehension

When it comes to behavior, DATA makes a difference! Karen highlights the valuable role Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can play in supporting students with behavioral needs. BCBAs are trained to observe behavior, collect meaningful data, identify patterns, and use that information to guide interventions. Because understanding behavior isn't about guessing. It's about looking at the data and identifying what support a student needs! When educators, families, and behavior specialists collaborate, they can make more informed decisions to help students succeed. #SpecialEducationBoss #BCBA #BehaviorAnalysis #SpecialEducation #BehaviorSupport #IEPAdvocacy #DataDrivenDecisions

IEP paperwork can feel overwhelming… until you understand WHY it matters! Sandy shares her experience as a general education teacher who initially struggled to understand IEP responsibilities, accommodations, and progress reports. With so many classroom demands, it's easy to see additional documentation as just another task. But once educators understand how their input helps monitor student progress and support individualized instruction, their perspective can change. It's not just paperwork. It's information that helps the IEP team make better decisions for students with disabilities! #SpecialEducationBoss #TeacherAdvocacy #IEPAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #GeneralEducationTeachers #ProgressMonitoring #IEPImplementation

The BIGGEST IEP mistake? Writing goals that can't be measured! Karen highlights one of the most common problems she sees in special education: IEP goals that don't clearly define how student progress will be measured. If a goal isn't measurable, how can the team determine whether the student is actually making progress? The Supreme Court's Endrew F. decision emphasizes that IEPs must be reasonably calculated to enable progress appropriate in light of each child's unique circumstances. Meaningful progress starts with meaningful, measurable goals! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #IEPGoals #MeasurableGoals #ProgressMonitoring #SpecialEducation #EndrewF

Just because it's a grade-level standard doesn't mean it's an appropriate IEP goal! Karen explains why IEP teams need to ask one important question: Is this goal reasonable for THIS student? Consider the child's individual abilities, current performance, rate of progress, and the instruction and support available to help them succeed. Grade-level standards matter, but IEP goals must also reflect the student's unique circumstances and be designed to support appropriate progress. It's not about lowering expectations. It's about setting meaningful, individualized goals that help students move forward! #SpecialEducationBoss #IEPAdvocacy #IEPGoals #FAPE #SpecialEducation #IndividualizedEducation #StudentProgress