Can anyone suggest collaboration strategies that can be used by parents of children with MR with school?

Question

administrators, regular and SPED educators, and professionals to advocate for their students with MR?

Answer 1

The first thing is to make sure that you have high, but realistic expectations for your child. Some parents think their children would become brain surgeons if the teacher and school were a little bit better when this is totally unrealistic for the child. It helps if everyone is on board with what the child can be expected to do.

Second, collaboration is often built on trust; the belief that the teacher, administrators and everyone involved with the child has the kid's best interests at heart and that the child is truly cared for. This can be shown in many ways, depending on the age and severity of the child. It might be a notebook that goes back and forth between school-home everyday, or phone calls, whatever it takes so that everyone knows the child is loved and cared for.

Third, be considerate and respectful of all involved. For example, check with parents before scheduling meetings, but also keep in mind teacher schedules and don't set up a meeting for 4:00 on Friday.

Have realistic expectations for the classroom teachers. Do you want your child in a regular class? Think about the child's abilities, their behaviors, and the other 25 kids the teacher has in class. What will your child really get out of it? What do you want them to learn in school?

If you're really having problems contact a child advocate. They are sometimes available through your local school board, but if not, the school board should be able to point you in the right direction, and their services are typically free.

Put what you want in writing, and have copies for everyone at the meeting. Be open and willing to compromise. Be available for problems and issues that may arise, and deal with them promptly. Be creative in thinking of solutions to problems, and willing to listen to other people.

Make sure you are informed. Know the school personnel, classes and curriculum. If you want something, find out about it and come to the meeting prepared.

Be honest with the teachers and schools. We sometimes have parents who take their kids off meds without doctor approval, who don't tell us, and we see huge differences in the kids without knowing what's going on. You don't have to tell us all your personal business, but when it affects the child and his education, we should know.

Good luck!

Answer 2

AS the first answerer stated it is the whole teams responsibility to collaborate do that the students is getting the best possible education. But I can tell you from my own personal experience, get on board with the spceial ed teacher because the regualr ed teachers usually have a hard time actually implementing the IEP's. Alot of administrators will say they are on board but....they just do alot of talking. I, as a special ed teacher spend a amjor part of my day trying to help my studnet do the work from their regualr ed classes because the teachers do not comply with the accommodations written into the IEP.

I would also say that if you are having any problems with the teacher or the school, contace an advocacy group and they will help get what the studnet needs. Hope it helps.

Answer 3

collaboration for education? All these professionals should be collaborating together and parents. IEP meeting should include all of them. Where teachers, parents, administrators of school, other professional who serve the child, and parents collaborate together to determine yearly goals for the student. speech pathologist and occupational therapist's accommodations and suggestions should be implemented in all classrooms by teachers. As for who is responsible for implementing instruction: the reg ed teachers and special need teacher of that child (ultimately it is the spec. need teacher who is responsible for seeing that IEP is implemented in all educational settings.