How to Effectively Communicate with Your Child’s IEP Team
If you are like many parents, you have lots of questions at the end of your child’s school day, such as:
What kind of homework does my child need to complete tonight?
Did my son or daughter behave appropriately at recess today?
Are my child’s new medications working effectively to manage symptoms?
Create a Home to School Communication Plan
Children respond best to calm and relaxed adults. That is why establishing a communication method and schedule with your child’s school team can go a long way in reducing stress levels for all parties involved. Parents who are up-to-date on classroom expectations and performance are better able to provide support for the child at home. It is also easier for teachers to work with students when they have thorough information about your child.
Determine the Method of Communication
There are many different options when it comes to home school communication methods. Some children reliably bring information and materials to and from school. In these situations, agenda books, journals, and/or folders can be an easy way to share news between home and school. An agenda book can be used to record information about homework, assignments, and tests. A journal or communication log can be used to communicate information about the child’s behavior or medical needs. Folders can be used to transport behavior charts, point sheets, and other important information.
In some situations, relying on the child to carry information between home and school is not the best option. This may be the case if the child has difficulty with executive functioning or organizational skills. It may also be the case for children who are reluctant to share with parents. Thanks to technology, many options exist to circumvent these situations. Many schools have websites or portals that provide information about upcoming assignments, projects, and tests. Electronic systems, such as Class Dojo, can also be used to keep parents up to date about classroom behavior. Email communication can be helpful in communicating about a specific incident or issue. Some teams choose to communicate through text messages. Occasionally, the easiest thing to do is pick up the phone and call.
MY CHILD HAS AN IEP…NOW WHAT?
What Parents Need to Know and Do When Their Child Has an IEP
The 20-page guide includes checklists, quick reference sheets, and an IEP At-a-Glance page for you to summarize your most important IEP information.
Decide on the Best Communication Schedule
Once you have determined the type of communication that is needed, the next step is to determine the schedule for the communication. Daily home school communication is needed in some cases. This schedule is often necessary for situations where the child is nonverbal, has communication difficulties, or has medical needs. It may also be necessary for a situation where information about the child’s mood, behavior, diet, is needed for medication management. Notes may be written in a communication journal to let other parties know about events that may affect the child’s mood or behavior.
Daily communication may also be helpful in sharing information about academic tasks and performance. Information about upcoming assignments, projects, and tests can be easily communicated through an agenda book or planner. Information about behavior or classroom performance can be communicated through a daily behavior chart or point sheet.
Weekly communication is sufficient in some instances. An example of this type of communication schedule could be a weekly summary of grades and assignment completion delivered through a weekly grade print out. Another example may a weekly point sheet being sent home at the end of the week to update parents about behavior or classroom performance. Some teams have a weekly scheduled day for a brief phone call or email update.
Just because your method of communication may occur frequently, doesn’t mean it has to take a long time to complete. Notes in a journal or log can be brief as long as there were no major incidents that took place. Requiring initials or signatures from parents and teachers on agenda books, planners, behavior charts, and point sheets help to ensure that the information is recorded correctly and shared with both parties. As a time-saver, information on a behavior chart or point sheet can also double as data collection to measure progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
Get on the same page so you know what to expect
An effective home to school communication plan means that no parent is shocked at report card time or at their next IEP or 504 meeting. Be sure to communicate effectively with your child’s school team to help to maximize your child’s behavior and progress throughout the school year.
Have questions about how to work with your child’s IEP team or need to talk to someone about your child’s education needs? Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
Dr. Brandi Tanner is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and former special educator with over 15 years of experience in her fields. She founded Your IEP Source to guide parents through the IEP journey and to empower them to become better advocates for their children.