IDEA stresses the importance of parents as active members of their child's education team. Regulations stipulate active parent involvement in evaluation, identification, and educational placement through the IEP process. When parents disagree with the school district, they are entitled to file a formal complaint and/or pursue due process. Research indicates that if disagreement does occur, it can often be traced back to a lack of communication, collaboration, and trust between the home and school. Thus, it is important for educators to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with families.

This training provides participants with research and information on the best strategies for building strong parent-school relationships.

Objectives include:

• Understanding the strong relationship between parent involvement and student academic and behavioral benefits.
• Developing strategies for actively reaching out and partnering with parents.
• Developing communication skills rooted in respectful dialogue that encourages parental involvement.
• Treating mothers and fathers as equal members.
• Considering the unique perspective fathers bring to the table.
• Building bridges and closing gaps so that educators partner with partner with parents for success.