Iowa PIRC and Iowa PTI/ASK Resource Center

Iowa PIRC and Iowa PTI/ASK Resource Center: 

Working together to develop effective parent/school partnerships

Susan Myers, Iowa PTI/ASK Resource Center, and

Robin Galloway, Iowa Parent Information Resource Center

To contact the PTI/ASK Resource Center for more information or to schedule training, call 515/243-1713,

800/450-8667 or e-mail info@askresource.org. Check out the Web site, www.askresource.org.

The Parent Information Resource Center has committed to working with schools to enhance engagement with parents in Iowa. As part of this work a partnership was formed with Iowa’s Access for Special Kids Resource Center in an effort to successfully engage parents of children with special needs with their child’s school. The ASK Resource Center receives Parent Training and Information Center grant funding established under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.

The center serves families and educators who work with Iowa’s approximately 73,000 children with Individualized Education Plans or Individualized Family Support Plans, ranging in age from birth through early 20s. ASK is committed to helping families and schools work together as partners and resolve their differences at the lowest possible level of intervention; that’s why all ASK staff members are trained in mediation and conflict resolution skills.

What does the PTI/ASK Resource Center Offer Schools?

The center ’s services are free and available to school administrators, staff, teachers and families. They include

• a quarterly newsletter, The PTI Press;

• telephone support and coaching for successful IEP meetings;

• training for school staff and families in the district, including

         - IDEA Rights and Responsibilities - Education, Community and Policy Advocacy

         - Understanding ADHD - Positive Behavioral Interventions and IDEA

         - NCLB and Children with Disabilities - Disproportionally in Special Education

         - Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? - Web site with resources and links, www.askresource.org

Last year, the PTI/ASK Resource Center

• provided information, support and training through 25,922 contacts with parents, students and professionals

• trained 2,191 parents and educators about the special education system, and their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act

• helped 546 parents and teachers who contacted ASK to resolve a disagreement

• had 100 percent of parents surveyed report ASK products and services provided them relevant information they needed to make decisions about their child’s education.

• found 100 percent suggested ASK assistance helped them to work more effectively with schools. Sometimes ASK family support staff can help de-escalate conflict between parents and schools simply by listening. Recently a parent shared, “I cannot thank you enough for all you have done! For an ear to listen and to help me sort it all out and listen to my brain try to process all this craziness…, which I think, is the hardest at times! I cannot thank any of you enough for all your kindness, understanding, patience and most of all help! ASK services are such a great asset to parents and schools! I don’t know what I would do without it … or how I could ever repay any of you.”

What schools can do to partner with the family

• Invite the family to share their child’s strengths and learning needs early, before problems might occur. Consider a home visit to initiate a relationship with the family.

• Schools can help by providing information in many forms, including videos, Web sites and PowerPoint. Not all parents read or receive what’s sent home in their child’s backpack. If a topic is important, consider using a phone call or a face-to-face meeting to communicate important information and verify understanding.

• Remember that parents and families are the experts on their child.

• Remember that success is a “WE” not a “ME” thing. Instead of thinking in terms of what “they should” do, think of what “we can” do…

• Relationships – relationships – relationships! Never underestimate the power of relationships, develop and mend them wherever and whenever possible.

What families can do to partner with the school

(With information from CADRE – Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education)

• Share with the school about their child/youth – abilities as well as challenges (such as your child’s favorite books, activities, movies, hobbies and interests);

• Don’t wait for a problem to communicate with the school! Tell educators when things are working well, too! A “thank you” is never wasted!

• When you approach the school, identify your concerns and specific outcomes you would like to see.

• Focus on what is important – your child’s needs. Stay focused on your child’s needs, focus on the positives, be clear about your goals, and listen, ask questions and clarify what you’ve heard.