Special Education Support

The Virginia Department of Education produces monthly bulletins to include free classes on various topics for parents.  Subscribe to this resource here.

Information for Families of Children with Disabilities

The following organizations focused on supporting students with disabilities, along with families and educators, have developed these 9 Recommendations for Inclusive Learning Recovery for Students with Disabilities

This study compiles research that supports inclusion for all students and reports state by state on how well it is done.

 


Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities Videos
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of several scheduled Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities in-person training events. While the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is eager to get these rescheduled, we recognize that it could be some time before that happens. In the meantime, the VDOE’s Coordinator of Family Engagement, Tracy Lee, has recorded five video modules for families to access at home. They are currently housed on the VDOE’s YouTube Channel:

  1. Part 1
  2. Part 2
  3. Part 3
  4. Part 4
  5. Part 5
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Nine Recommendations for Inclusive Learning Recovery for Students with Disabilities

The following organizations focused on supporting students with disabilities, along with families and educators, have developed these 9 Recommendations for Inclusive Learning Recovery for Students with Disabilities

  • The Advocacy Institute
  • The Center for Learner Equity
  • The Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
  • The Council for Exceptional Children
  • The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
  • The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
  • The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
  • The National Disability Rights Network
  • The National Down Syndrome Congress

These recommendations have been identified as necessary to maximize the impact for students with disabilities and to ensure equitable access to strategies for learning recovery.

 


Critical Decision Points Arrow 

Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities Videos

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of several scheduled Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities in-person training events. While the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is eager to get these rescheduled, we recognize that it could be some time before that happens. In the meantime, the VDOE’s Coordinator of Family Engagement, Tracy Lee, has recorded five video modules for families to access at home.  They are currently housed on the VDOE’s YouTube Channel.

Critical Decision Points Session 1

Critical Decision Points Session 2

Critical Decision Points Session 3

Critical Decision Points Session 4

Critical Decision Points Session 5


The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) Upcoming Events

PEATC, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) presents the following two virtual events:

The 2021 Behavior Summit will provide valuable information and a live Q&A with experts from the Old Dominion University (ODU) and the VDOE. For more information about dates and registration, please refer to the 2021 Behavior Summit flyer.

 The Capacity Building for IEP Teams and the Capacity Building for IEP Teams 2.0 virtual events are designed to help IEP Teams build capacity around participating in IEP meetings and collaboration.  Capacity Building for IEP Teams 2.0 is an advanced workshop for IEP Team members who have completed the first workshop. For more information about dates and registration, please refer to the Capacity Building for IEP Teams and Capacity Building for IEP Teams 2.0 flyer.

The DSANV IEP consultation program is suspended until further notice (March 2020)

DSANV Special Education Graphic DSANV offers individualized education plan (IEP) support for our members to assist with issues surrounding the education of your school-age children with Down syndrome. This program includes:

  • Individual phone consultation on special education issues such as services, assessments, IEP goals, IEP strategies and placements at the member’s request. Links have been removed while this program is suspended.
    • Special Education Consultant Policy
    • Intake Questionnaire for DSANV Consultation
  • Special Education FAQ

The IEP Support Program is implemented by Special Education Consultant Cathy Thornton, owner of Advocacy by Pegasus.