Individuals with complex communication needs cannot articulate what they want to communicate through intelligible speech. Consequently, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods can be taught to these individuals so they can communicate in a way that is understood by others. As part of the training on how to use AAC methods,…

Parental engagement is often used interchangeably with terms such as parental involvement and parental participation. Research has indicated that active parental engagement was less evident in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The problem addressed in this study was that although culturally and linguistically diverse parents…

Phenomenological design was used in this research to determine the experiences, opinions and suggestions of the stakeholders in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) development team during the IEP preparation process. Nine parents 20 teachers and a school administrator who were in the IEP team and took part in the IEP preparation process…

From conversations in school hallways, to SEPTA meetings, to parking lots and church benches, Black middle-class parents have engaged in talk of disillusionment with the IEP development process for their special needs child. Previous literature has provided limited insight into the navigational capital of Black middle-class parents in the special…

Individualized education plans (IEPs) have the potential and responsibility of providing individuals with the highest level of learning opportunities. In this guide, discover the essential steps and vital understandings for team members to create student-centered IEPs. This book simplifies the IEP writing process and provides practical strategies…

The problem addressed through this study was the potential effects of the lack of parent participation at individualized education plan (IEP) meetings on students' achievement. The research question in this study examined the relationship between parents of high school students with disabilities (SWD) attendance at annual IEP meetings and…

Beginning on July 1, 2022, in the state of Connecticut, all new Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for special education began to be written in the new Connecticut Special Education Data System commonly known as CT-SEDS. This investigation sought to understand to what extent Connecticut's implementation of CT-SEDS had impacted parents'…

The world is full of parents of special education students who do not know how to support their children through the individualized educational program (IEP) process. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was designed to create a shared decision-making process whereas parental involvement is at the forefront of the IEP process. This…

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive, multi-site case study was to determine the criteria individualized education program (IEP) teams used to find the least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the elementary school level. The theoretical framework of this study was Maslow's theory…

American public schools must allow parents the ability to be involved in the collaboration and planning aspects of their child's individualized education program (IEP). However, many parents have reported feeling like an outsider in IEP meetings. Historically, families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds have reported…

Five days after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in "Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District," the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision in "M.C. v. Antelope Valley Union High School District." This important decision involved a student who was being served under the Individuals with…

Parent participation in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process is a critical factor in improving the effectiveness of children's special education programs and services. However, many families, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds, are unfamiliar with the IEP process and their rights under…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act emphasizes that students and parents are equal partners in the individualized education program (IEP) process, including planning for transition to postsecondary education, employment, and community living. This is especially important for English learners (ELs) with disabilities, yet little is known…

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore the perspectives of Mexican American fathers with children diagnosed within the context of the public school's special education system and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The study focused on understanding the experiences of ten Mexican American fathers to shed light on…

Students with autism spectrum disorders enrolled in special education programs during high school have continued to be at risk of negative outcomes after high school. Researchers have noted the number of students with autism and the cost of educating students with autism were rising. The purpose of this study was to gain the perspectives of…