Free information series available to parents of special education students

PWN, LRE, IEP, BIP, FBA, ESY, OT . . . are you confused by the all the terms, processes, laws and people involved in educating your child with a disability? 

Sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education, this free, three-part series is designed to provide parents with the information and skills they need to actively participate in the special education process. Plan to attend one, two or all three trainings in this series and strengthen your advocacy skills.  

Participation in the Special Education Process will be offered Thursday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. This PowerPoint training discusses how children with disabilities and their parents are guaranteed certain educational rights, known as procedural safeguards, from birth through 21 years of age. This training will help parents make informed educational decisions for their child.

The second training on Thursday, April 8, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Participation in the IEP Process will be a PowerPoint training providing an overview of the purpose of the IEP, who should be a member of the IEP team and attend the meetings; how parents can prepare for and participate in the IEP process; what parents can do when they disagree with the proposed program and how to track their child’s progress. 
 
On April 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., the final training, Beginning with the End in Mind:  Secondary Transition will take place. This PowerPoint training covers the entire transition planning process. The training discusses all components of transition services including: measurable post secondary goal development; coordinated set of activities; courses of study; and annual IEP goals. This training will help parents learn how to be active participants in secondary transition planning.
 
All trainings will be held at the Maricopa Unified School District Administration Building located at 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

To register or for more information contact: Amy Dill, Parent Information Network Specialist for Gila/Pinal Counties, at 480-759-1029.

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