Collaborative Practices forMaintaining Positive Relationships by Brynn Biggs

Educator Resource: Introduction to Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:28:12 UTC

A comprehensive overview of why collaboration between parents of special needs students and schools is crucial for the student's development. This video provides a solid foundation for understanding the importance of partnership.

Parent Resource: Navigating IEP Meetings

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:28:16 UTC

Guidance on preparing for and participating in your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings. Find tips on how to effectively communicate and advocate for your child's needs.

Communication Tools

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:28:19 UTC

Discover platforms designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. These tools are crucial for sharing updates, tracking progress, and ensuring a cohesive approach to education.

Parent Empowerment Workshops

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:28:23 UTC

Explore workshops aimed at empowering parents of special needs students. These sessions cover strategies for supporting your child's education at home and fostering positive school relationships.

Teacher/Student: Strategies for Collaborative Education

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:28:27 UTC

This book offers a deep dive into strategies for collaborative education. It's a great resource for parents and educators looking to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT VS. PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:43:10 UTC

What many may not know is that there is an important difference between parental involvement and parental engagement.

An involved parent takes part in the activities already determined by the school. An engaged parent takes a step further, often becoming part of the school’s decision-making process.

5 Effective Ways to Support Teacher Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:44:37 UTC

School leaders can make collaboration a priority so that teachers learn from each other and develop their instructional skills.

3 Tips for Parent-Teacher Collaboration When A Student Has Dyslexia

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:46:32 UTC

Parents and teachers need much better lines of communication. Many parents in the group are frustrated because they have been through the “system” so many times and there is so much red tape. By the time they get to dealing with the teacher, they are already angry and have pre-conceived notions about how their child is going to be treated.

Parent-Teacher Collaboration: From the Eyes of a Mother

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:47:21 UTC

One of the most important considerations in special education classrooms is parent-teacher collaboration; it is critical for student's success. Collaboration has many benefits as both the parties are working towards the common goal of improving the student's lives and preparing them for the future.

Remind 101

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:49:04 UTC

There are a variety of apps that make teacher-family collaborations a cinch. Apps like Remind allow teachers to text important updates to their students’ families without revealing their phone number and send file attachments or photos as needed to individual parents or family members, select groups, or the entire class.

Class Dojo

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:49:55 UTC

ClassDojo offers a classroom management system and a behavior management system, so families can monitor reports on their student’s advancements and behaviors.

Email (google, microsoft outlook, etc.)

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:50:31 UTC

Email can be a quick and easy way for teachers and parents to stay in contact about a student. Rather than opting for in-person meetings or even a phone call, the communication can be less regimented and easier to schedule—and it gives both parties a record of communication that can be referred to when making plans and problem solving.

Video Conferencing

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:51:02 UTC

Video conferencing software, such as Zoom: For parents or families who prefer face-to face communications but don’t have time for in-person meetings, Zoom is another convenient way to address family-teacher collaboration. Teachers and families can set a predetermined time to meet online, and easily talk through a student’s triumphs or tribulations.

Harnessing Parent Teacher Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:51:54 UTC

Parent-teacher collaboration is an important part of a student’s education. When the family of a student is able to communicate with their child’s teacher, the two sides can work together to build a relationship and create an optimal learning environment, both at home and at school.

Where to Turn When You Have Concerns

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:53:34 UTC

Hopefully, you and your child will have a wonderful school experience; each of your child’s needs will be met, and teachers and staff members will continually exceed your expectations. However, what happens when this isn’t the case? Navigating these delicate situations can be easier when you know where to take your concerns, and what you should expect to hear when you voice them.

Family Engagement: Collaborating with Families of Students with Disabilities

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:54:33 UTC

The involvement of parents can be a powerful influence on their children’s educational success and as such is regarded as a best practice in early childhood instruction.

Special Education Teacher Preparation and Family Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 16:56:19 UTC

Special education teacher collaboration with families is essential to supporting students with disabilities, yet such partnerships often fall short in practice, and teachers report they are not adequately prepared to work with families. In order to prepare competent teachers for working with families, a Family Collaboration Project was incorporated into a special education teacher education program course taken concurrently with clinical practice in the field.

Teacher and parent relationships - a crucial ingredient: Cecile Carroll at TEDxWellsStreetED

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:00:23 UTC

Organizer, parent and Chicago Public Schools graduate Cecile Carroll shares what she's learned about the need for relationships between teachers and parents. Based on achievements in her neighborhood, she offers concrete approaches and lessons learned for building stronger connections between home and school that are essential in all communities.

Building relationships between parents and teachers: Megan Olivia Hall at TEDxBurnsvilleED

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:01:25 UTC

Megan Olivia Hall teaches science and service at Open World Learning Community, an intentionally small Expeditionary Learning school in Saint Paul Public Schools. She founded Open's first Advanced Placement program, recruiting students from all walks of life to college prep classes. She is a leader in character education, providing professional development, curriculum and mentorship. In 2013, Hall was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

A Tale of Two Teachers | Melissa Crum | TEDxColumbusWomen

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:02:34 UTC

Dr. Melissa Crum is an artist, education consultant and diversity practitioner who works with many educators in urban schools. She noticed that many teachers had challenges teaching and relating to students who did not share their same cultural background. So, she worked with a museum educator to create an arts-based professional development series that helps educators think about how they are thinking about their diverse students.

Parent-teacher Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:03:37 UTC

Parent Advocacy through Special Education Team Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:05:10 UTC

One Question: How can special education teachers and parents work together?

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:06:24 UTC

“The important thing is not to stop questioning,” Albert Einstein once said. “Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” In this series, we turn to NYU faculty—specialists in their fields—to address the general questions that we wonder about as we move through the world. Here, Natasha Strassfeld, assistant professor of special education, weighs in on how teachers and parents can forge effective partnerships.

Parents of Children with Special Needs Have Needs, Too | Debra Vines | TEDxOakParkSalon

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:08:24 UTC

When Debra's son was born, little was known about what we now refer to as “the spectrum.” She began searching for answers in her under-resourced community but found none. Instead, she found a coping mechanism that changed her life forever. Debra's TEDx Talk takes us through her quest for answers and how her love for her son drove Debra to make a difference in her community. Debra Vines comes to us from Maywood, Illinois. In 2007, Debra founded The Answer Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that filled a void that was painfully absent when Debra needed her own answers. The Answer Inc helps parents and caregivers of people with disabilities navigate systems of social services and academic institutions.

Family-School Relationships Survey

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:12:53 UTC

The survey exists as a series of scales, or groups of survey questions, that work together to measure a single construct, or topic (e.g., Family Engagement or School Safety). Schools and districts can customize the survey by selecting the topics they value most. We recommend choosing between four and seven topics so families can complete a short, focused survey that delivers valuable information on their attitudes and perceptions toward school.

A Parent’s Guide to Communicating with Your Child’s School

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:17:03 UTC

Throughout your child’s school years, there is always a need to communicate with school: teachers, administrators, and others concerned with your child’s education. There are also times when the school needs to communicate with you. This is particularly true when your child has a disability and is receiving special education services. Some of this communication is informal, such as phone calls, comments in your child’s notebook, a chat when picking up your child from school, or at a school function. Other forms of communication are more formal and need to be written down.

Working with Families

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:21:24 UTC

The importance of collaborating with families to promote participation in educational decision-making has been identified as one of the key principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

Collaboration and Communication

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:22:43 UTC

Teachers collaborate with families about individual children’s needs, goals, programs, and progress over time and ensure families are informed about their rights as well as about special education processes (e.g., IEPs, IFSPs). Teachers should respectfully and effectively communicate considering the background, socioeconomic status, language, culture, and priorities of the family. Teachers advocate for resources to help students meet instructional, behavioral, social, and transition goals. In building positive relationships with students, teachers encourage students to self-advocate, with the goal of fostering self-determination over time. Teachers also work with families to self-advocate and support their children’s learning.

Parent Teacher Cross-cultural Collaboration in Special Education Parent Teacher Cross-cultural Collaboration in Specia

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:23:29 UTC

Collaboration in Special Education

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:24:06 UTC

Collaboration in special education is vital for meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities. It involves various stakeholders working together to create a supportive learning environment. This blog explores effective strategies for fostering collaboration in special education.

High Leverage Practices: A Look at Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:25:14 UTC

For special education teachers, constantly working with a wide range of people—other teachers, school staff, families, and caregivers—is more than part of the job description. Working and collaborating with these various groups is essential and ultimately provides many benefits for students. Implementing collaboration practices builds effective relationships and creates a better understanding of students’ needs, which allows them to succeed.

Partnering with Families Through Special Education Research-based Strategies for Special and General Educators

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:26:17 UTC

Special Education requires schools, communities, and service providers to come together as partners with families to provide tailored services, supports, and instruction for their children. It is clear from years of research that this partnership creates relationships and supports that form the best environment for any child to learn and grow. In these partnerships, families are the most enduring, expert supporters of their children. How professionals support and empower them in this critical role is the focus of this brief.

High Leverage Practices in Special Education: Collaboration: Research Syntheses

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:27:24 UTC

Effective special education teachers collaborate with a wide range of professionals, families and caregivers to assure that educational programs and related services are effectively designed and implemented to meet the needs of each student with a disability. Collaboration allows for varied expertise and perspectives about a student to be shared among those responsible for the student’s learning and well-being. This collective expertise provides collaborators with a more comprehensive understanding of each student’s needs, which can be used to more effectively plan and implement instruction and services.

TTAC Online: A community sharing resources to educate students with disabilities

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:31:59 UTC

Collaboration

HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 2: Organize and Facilitate Effective Meetings with Professionals and Families

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:33:12 UTC

The High Leverage Practices (HLP) Highlight Tools were developed to acquaint educators with the key components of each HLP in order to begin implementation into their instruction and strengthen inclusive practices with students. Each Highlight Tool contains a brief description, video clips, suggested activities and a Plan of Action activity teachers can implement with students to help get them started. As teachers become more acquainted with HLPs, additional resources are provided to help extend their understanding and build capacity for instruction. These tools reflect the main components of the 22 High Leverage Practices in Special Education, which were developed by The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), in partnership with the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform (CEEDAR) Center.

HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 3: Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:34:01 UTC

Building Capacity in Special Education: A Statewide Initiative to Improve Student Outcomes through Parent-Teacher Partnerships

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:36:42 UTC

This article describes the implementation efforts of 80 school districts and the teacher preparation programs of seven IHEs regarding statewide school improvement efforts through parent-teacher partnerships.

Collaboration in Special Education: Parent—Professional Training

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:37:47 UTC

A Model for Parent-Teacher Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination in Young Children with Disabilities

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:38:19 UTC

Parent-Teacher Partnerships in Special Education

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:39:43 UTC

There is an old African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child (Buzzell, 1996, p.1).” In today’s society, this saying is applicable to the idea of parent-teacher partnerships in education. The underlying assumption of such partnerships is that everyone who has a stake in a child’s life, including the parents, teachers, and community, should work together to give that child the best education possible. In reality, however, key stakeholders in a child’s life may have many different ideas and beliefs, and, as a result, a disconnect in communication and relationships among them can arise. In such situations, fluid partnerships between these stakeholders can be challenged and resulting tensions can emerge which, in turn, can affect a child’s educational experience (Staples & Dilberto, 2010).

Encouraging Meaningful Parent/Educator Collaboration: A Review of Recent Literature

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:40:35 UTC

This document synthesizes findings from a number of recent academic studies and policy publications. Among the highlights is the idea that "involvement" may be too narrow a term to encapsulate the range and depth of partnerships that support students' success.

Google Classroom

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:42:53 UTC

Google Classroom is a free blended learning platform developed by Google for educational institutions that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students

Parent Square

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:43:17 UTC

ParentSquare. Helps schools comprehensively streamline communication between school staff and families.

Class Tag

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:44:54 UTC

Teachers can use ClassTag to reach all families on their preferred channel—SMS, email, app, web, or paper. Caregivers can use ClassTag

SeeSaw

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:47:20 UTC

Seesaw gives elementary teachers the opportunity to create online portfolios for their students so that parents can view classwork

Bloomz

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:47:57 UTC

Similar to ClassDojo, Bloomz also allows teachers to track behaviors and download reports to communicate information to families.

Family Engagement and Student Learning

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:51:56 UTC

NASFCE offers that family engagement includes the ways in which school systems commit to engaging families in meaningful ways, and the ways in which families are committed to actively supporting their child's learning and development. Family Engagement Lab believes that high-impact family engagement is collaborative, builds on the assets of educators and families, and is focused on student learning.

Tool Kit for Collaboration

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:53:15 UTC

This artifact builds on best practices for ongoing communication with parents while providing methods and tools to use towards collaboration between general education teachers and special education teachers within the realm of ongoing parent communication.

BLOG: Strong Parent Communication in Special Education

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:54:37 UTC

It is essential that teachers are intentional about parent communication. Whether you are a first year teacher or veteran teacher, parent communication is a must. Teachers and parents need to be on the same team, and here’s some ways to help you get started with parent communication and collaboration!

Toolkit: Promoting Effective Parent-Educator Collaboration to Increase Student Academic Achievement

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:55:54 UTC

Students who are English learners represent one of the fastest growing groups in U.S. schools. These students, who have a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, are developing proficiency in English and learning grade-level content at the same time.

Students who are English learners sometimes need supports called accessibility features or accommodations in order to access grade-level content in classes and on tests. Accessibility features and accommodations, such as a bilingual dictionary or extra time, can help these students learn and demonstrate their knowledge.

Building Successful Communication Between Parent or Guardian and Teacher

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:57:06 UTC

Two-way communication between parents or guardians and teachers helps to build trust. Trust between school and parents or guardians is important in supporting the learning of culturally and linguistically diverse students, including English learners.

Improving Instruction for English Learners Through Improved Accessibility Decisions

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:57:44 UTC

Developed two professional development modules on accessibility and accommodations decision making for instruction and assessment for English learners. One module is for educators and the other is for parents/guardians and families. The project also examined the efficacy of these modules by conducting several pre- and post-module administration analyses.

Parent-Educator Toolkit: Accessibility Features and Accommodations

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 17:58:48 UTC

Parents of English learners need to be involved in decisions about accessibility features for their children. This Toolkit created by the Improving Instruction project provides several concise briefs to guide parents through this process. Print and audio versions of these briefs are available in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Additional briefs for teachers and principals give advice on how to make sure parents are included and listened to.

Working with Language Interpreters

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:00:20 UTC

It is important to have a good relationship with your child’s teacher. You know many things about your child. Together, parents or guardians and teachers can plan the best way to help a child learn. You will need to talk with the teacher at parent-teacher conferences and at other school meetings. You may have questions you want to ask the teacher at other times. You have the right to ask the school for a language interpreter to help you talk to your child’s teacher. Requesting an interpreter is free for you.

Building Successful Communication Between Teacher and Parent or Guardian

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:03:19 UTC

Engaging a parent or guardian in meaningful two-way communication will bridge the opportunity and academic gaps for students. This will establish a trusting relationship that will support the learning of culturally and linguistically diverse students, including English learners.

Working with Language Interpreters

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:03:55 UTC

Building a relationship and maintaining open communication with a student’s parents or guardians is an essential part of supporting your students’ learning. If communicating in English with parents or guardians is a challenge, you may need the support of a language interpreter. Understanding what support an interpreter can provide and how to make the most of the interaction is essential in developing open communication and establishing a trusting relationship with students who are English learners and their parents or guardians.

Building Successful Partnerships Between the School Principal, Families, and Communities

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:04:46 UTC

Principals play a key role in providing successful leadership for partnerships between the school and its culturally and linguistically diverse communities. They can help create a shared understanding and a caring school environment and culture where all students, including English learners, are valued. Investing in building successful partnerships is vital to support academic learning.

Working with Language Interpreters

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:05:25 UTC

Building strong relationships with your students’ families is paramount for the success of your students. This partnership between families and principals can promote students’ abilities to learn and succeed in school. Parents or guardians who are not fluent English speakers are entitled to free access to language resources and assistance, such as trained interpreters and translators. These services create a warm and welcoming school environment for the parents who may have limited English proficiency, as well as improve the educational outcomes for students.

Toolkit: Promoting Effective Parent-Educator Collaboration to Increase Student Academic Achievement

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:06:03 UTC

Building Successful Partnerships Between the School Principal, Families, and Communities

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:06:53 UTC

PACER Center

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:07:41 UTC

PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others.

With assistance to individual families, workshops, materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER's work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation.

Low Parent Engagement in Schools

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:11:11 UTC

We all know how important it is to be involved in our child’s education. Parental involvement includes helping kids with their homework, participating in activities with kids, volunteering at school, attending school events, attending parent-teacher conferences, etc. Studies have proved over and over again that parental involvement significantly impacts student performance and school improvement. When schools, families and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and like school more.

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:13:16 UTC

Infographic: “Tips For Teachers On Family Engagement”

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:13:48 UTC

Reducing Barriers to Family Engagement

brynnbiggs08 — 2024-03-11 18:44:20 UTC

Collaborative Practices forMaintaining Positive Relationships by Brynn Biggs

Educator Resource: Introduction to Collaboration

Parent Resource: Navigating IEP Meetings

Communication Tools

Parent Empowerment Workshops

Teacher/Student: Strategies for Collaborative Education

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT VS. PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT

5 Effective Ways to Support Teacher Collaboration

3 Tips for Parent-Teacher Collaboration When A Student Has Dyslexia

Parent-Teacher Collaboration: From the Eyes of a Mother

Remind 101

Class Dojo

Email (google, microsoft outlook, etc.)

Video Conferencing

Harnessing Parent Teacher Collaboration

Where to Turn When You Have Concerns

Family Engagement: Collaborating with Families of Students with Disabilities

Special Education Teacher Preparation and Family Collaboration

Teacher and parent relationships - a crucial ingredient: Cecile Carroll at TEDxWellsStreetED

Building relationships between parents and teachers: Megan Olivia Hall at TEDxBurnsvilleED

A Tale of Two Teachers | Melissa Crum | TEDxColumbusWomen

Parent-teacher Collaboration

Parent Advocacy through Special Education Team Collaboration

One Question: How can special education teachers and parents work together?

Parents of Children with Special Needs Have Needs, Too | Debra Vines | TEDxOakParkSalon

Family-School Relationships Survey

A Parent’s Guide to Communicating with Your Child’s School

Working with Families

Collaboration and Communication

Parent Teacher Cross-cultural Collaboration in Special Education Parent Teacher Cross-cultural Collaboration in Specia

Collaboration in Special Education

High Leverage Practices: A Look at Collaboration

Partnering with Families Through Special Education Research-based Strategies for Special and General Educators

High Leverage Practices in Special Education: Collaboration: Research Syntheses

TTAC Online: A community sharing resources to educate students with disabilities

HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 2: Organize and Facilitate Effective Meetings with Professionals and Families

HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 3: Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services

Building Capacity in Special Education: A Statewide Initiative to Improve Student Outcomes through Parent-Teacher Partnerships

Collaboration in Special Education: Parent—Professional Training

A Model for Parent-Teacher Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination in Young Children with Disabilities

Parent-Teacher Partnerships in Special Education

Encouraging Meaningful Parent/Educator Collaboration: A Review of Recent Literature

Google Classroom

Parent Square

Class Tag

SeeSaw

Bloomz

Family Engagement ​and Student Learning

Tool Kit for Collaboration

BLOG: Strong Parent Communication in Special Education

Toolkit: Promoting Effective Parent-Educator Collaboration to Increase Student Academic Achievement

Building Successful Communication Between Parent or Guardian and Teacher

Improving Instruction for English Learners Through Improved Accessibility Decisions

Parent-Educator Toolkit: Accessibility Features and Accommodations

Working with Language Interpreters

Building Successful Communication Between Teacher and Parent or Guardian

Working with Language Interpreters

Building Successful Partnerships Between the School Principal, Families, and Communities

Working with Language Interpreters

Toolkit: Promoting Effective Parent-Educator Collaboration to Increase Student Academic Achievement

Building Successful Partnerships Between the School Principal, Families, and Communities

PACER Center

Low Parent Engagement in Schools

Infographic: “Tips For Teachers On Family Engagement”

Reducing Barriers to Family Engagement

Family Engagement and Student Learning