Partnering with Families
Families of students are critical partners to schools. Partnering with families promotes student growth and achievement of CCRS, as schools and families work together to meet the needs of each child. The resources below provide resources on how to develop effective partnerships with parents and families.
The National Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
CADRE activities emphasize and encourage the timely and appropriate use of dispute resolution options, since collaborative problem-solving and early resolution practices result in a reduction of the financial, relational and emotional costs associated with more adversarial processes.
The US Department of Education
The US Department of Education’s Family and Community Engagement website includes a framework for building greater support and capacity in schools, homes and communities, so ALL students have the chance to succeed. Get ideas for how to bring your passion, talents, and energy to help students and to make your neighborhood schools stronger.
The Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Center
The link between families and positive behavioral interventions and supports is an important one. The PBIS Center offers information to help families become more meaningfully involved in in their child's education and social development.
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning provides a host of resources for families and educators to promote knowledge development to ensure equitable opportunities for children with disabilities to:
- participate in high-quality early learning programs,
- be involved in and progress in the general education curriculum,
- prepare to meet college and career-ready standards,
- participate in assessments, and
- transition to postsecondary education and the workforce.
IRIS Center
IRIS Center offers a wide variety of free, online resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices, including modules, case studies and research summaries developed in collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers and education experts, to support the education of all children, particularly those with disabilities.
- Collaborating with Families :Designed to help teachers build positive relationships with families, this Module highlights the diversity of families and addresses the factors that school personnel should understand about working with the families of children with disabilities.
Working Collaboratively
The majority of students with disabilities spend most of their day learning in general education classrooms. General and special education teachers, as well as related service providers such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, paraprofessionals, and other professionals, must develop strong collaborative relationships to seamlessly support students in maximizing their learning and achievement of CCRS.
The resources below provide resources on how to develop and strengthen collaboration across all professionals working with students who receive special education services.
IRIS Center
IRIS Center offers a wide variety of free, online resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices, including modules, case studies and research summaries developed in collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers and education experts, to support the education of all children, particularly those with disabilities.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition provides a “Guide to Developing Collaborative School-Community- Business Partnerships”. It includes information about the roles and benefits of various partners, as well as strategies for engaging these partners.
Understanding Disabilities
Students with disabilities are first and foremost general education students. Some students with disabilities may require unique accommodations or have adapted learning needs, which are supported through an Individualized Education Program. All professionals working with a student who receives special education services must focus on the individual needs of the student while maintaining high expectations for the student’s participation in the general education classroom and achievement of CCRS.
The resources below provide information of how teachers and other professionals can ensure that students are able to fully participate in the general education setting.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources
The Center for Parent Information and Resources provides resources on various types of disabilities for educators.
IRIS Center
IRIS Center offers a wide variety of free, online resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices, including modules, practice guides and research summaries developed in collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers and education experts, to support the education of all children, particularly those with disabilities. See the “Resources Locator” for information on how to serve students (birth to 21 years) with individualized needs in math, literacy and reading, and behavior, and how to improve instructional and behavioral supports using evidence-based practices.
National Center on Intensive Interventions (NCII)
The National Center for Intensive Intervention provides technical assistance and disseminates information that builds state and district capacity to train interventionists to effectively implement intensive interventions in reading, mathematics, and behavior in Grades K-12. Activities of the Center include reviewing and disseminating information on interventions, assessment tools, and implementation strategies.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT) provides numerous resources for engaging students in the process of planning for their future. There are evidence-and research-based practices for teaching them how to lead their IEP meetings under the Transition Planning, Education, and Student Focused Planning - Student Participation resources.
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning provides resources addressing eligibility and services to ensure equitable opportunities for children with disabilities to:
- participate in high-quality early learning programs,
- be involved in and progress in the general education curriculum,
- prepare to meet college and career-ready standards,
- participate in assessments, and
- transition to postsecondary education and the workforce.
Secondary Transition
The transition from high school to college or career is a pivotal point in time for all students, but it is especially critical for students with disabilities. Working toward CCRS can support all students in successfully preparing for life after high school graduation.
Students who receive special education services should actively participate in planning this transition, beginning no later than age 16. Explore the resources below for ideas on how to promote successful transitions and information on the current post-secondary outcomes among students with disabilities.
The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)
NTACT’s purpose is to assist State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, State VR agencies, and VR service providers in implementing evidence-based and promising practices ensuring students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, graduate prepared for success in postsecondary education and employment.
National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC – SD)
National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC – SD) created practice guides for educators that can help them support students with disabilities so that they can stay in school and ultimately graduate.
IRIS Center
IRIS Center has modules, briefs, and practice guides for educators and families on how to support a successful transition. This site offers a wide variety of free, online resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices, including modules, practice guides and research summaries developed in collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers and education experts, to support the education of all children, particularly those with disabilities. See the “Resources Locator” for information on how to support a successful transition.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CIPR)
CIPR connects you with resources, including tip sheets to help teachers and families support teens as they prepare to reach the age of majority. The following links are an example of the resources you can find on the CIPR site:
School Climate
A safe and positive school climate is vital in supporting students’ success and achievement of CCRS. Proactive and preventative approaches to promoting a positive learning environment can reduce discipline issues, including suspensions and expulsions, which create barriers to students’ success.
Explore the resources below for evidence-based strategies to promoting a positive school climate.
The Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Center
The Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Center provides resources to educators to help build a supportive climate for their students.
Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT)
SWIFT is a national K-8 center that provides academic and behavioral support to promote the learning and academic achievement of all students, including students with disabilities and those with the most extensive needs by providing intensive technical assistance to schools, districts, and states.
Supporting students socially, emotionally, and behaviorally
For students to achieve academically, their social, emotional, and behavioral needs must first be met. The following resources will assist teachers to meet those needs.
IRIS Center
IRIS Center offers a wide variety of free, online resources about evidence-based instructional and intervention practices to support behavior and classroom management, including modules, practice guides and research summaries developed in collaboration with nationally-recognized researchers and education experts, to support the education of all children, particularly those with disabilities. See the “Resources Locator” for information and training on how to support behavior and classroom management.
- Addressing Disruptive and Noncompliant Behaviors (Part 1): Understanding the Acting-Out Cycle (
- Classroom Management (Part 1): Learning the Components of a Comprehensive Behavior Management Plan
- Classroom Management (Part 2): Developing Your Own Comprehensive Behavior Management Plan
- Early Childhood Behavior Management: Developing and Teaching Rules
The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Center
PBIS Center provides resources for teachers on how to support students behaviorally.