Literacy is the foundation of a child’s education. It shapes how they communicate, understand, and connect with the world around them. In today’s fast-changing world, where information is everywhere, being able to read, write, and spell well is more important than ever. Parents play a big role in helping their kids build these key skills at home, giving them the confidence and tools to succeed.

This course, Building Blocks of Literacy: Strategies to Enhance IEP Goals in Spelling and Writing, is designed to help parents learn effective ways to advocate their child’s spelling and writing development by understanding what goes into Literacy.

Literacy is more than just reading and writing. It starts with understanding language and grows into the ability to express thoughts clearly through writing. Spelling and writing aren’t just about following rules—they also involve thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. By learning about sounds, word patterns, and writing techniques, parents will understand how to help their child grow in these areas.

By creating a supportive and exciting literacy environment sets their child up for future success in school and beyond.

Building Blocks of Literacy: Strategies to Enhance IEP Goals in Spelling and Writing  

IEP meetings are meant to bring together the child’s educational team—parents, teachers, specialists, and sometimes the student—to discuss and develop the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). This meeting should be a collaborative space to review the child’s progress, identify unique learning needs, set specific goals, and outline the accommodations, modifications, and services that will support their learning. IEP meetings help everyone involved create a clear, updated plan and share a common understanding of how to best support the child’s success in school.

Unfortunately, many parents leave IEP meetings feeling as though they failed, frustrated, or upset that their voice wasn’t heard. But what if we looked at these meetings from a negotiation standpoint? While IEP Insiders does not promote the idea of parents "negotiating" for their child’s services or support, this approach might help parents confidently advocate for the services their children deserve. We believe parents may feel more empowered to push for the support that leads to meaningful progress.


Disclaimer:
The ideas and techniques referenced in this course are based on our interpretation of the strategies presented in the book Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don't Agree with or Like or Trust. We do not hold any rights to these books nor did we play a role in developing the concepts or concerns discussed within its pages.  These insights are shared with the intention of helping parents better navigate IEP meetings. You can find the books here https://amzn.to/4e8k0K3



Mastering IEP Meetings: Negotiation Skills

Navigating school can be challenging, especially for students with disabilities. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is created to ensure these students get the specific support they need to succeed academically and socially. However, the success of an IEP depends on having clear goals tailored to each student. That’s where SMART goals come in. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, making it easier to track progress and stay focused on what matters.

This course, "Understanding SMART Goals: A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child's IEP Goals," helps parents and caregivers understand how to work with IEPs and SMART goals. You’ll learn how to set clear, realistic goals and discover ways to be more involved in your child’s education. The course also teaches strategies for supporting learning at home and collaborating with teachers to give students the best chance to reach their full potential.

IEP Insiders Academy