Helping Parents and Guardians Navigate Special Education
Simple videos and real-time answers to help you navigate your child’s special education journey.
Being a parent in the special education process can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This page is designed just for you:
🎥 25 short explainer videos break down key parts of the special education process—like evaluations, IEP meetings, services, and your rights as a parent—in plain, easy-to-understand language.
🤖 Ask the AI Assistant any questions you have. It’s trained on IDEA and Minnesota regulations to help you get clear, accurate answers—24/7.
Whether you’re new to special education or looking for quick answers along the way, these tools are here to help you feel informed, prepared, and empowered to advocate for your child.
➡️ Start by watching the videos that match where you are in the process, or
➡️ Type your question into the AI assistant any time you’re unsure about what something means
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Accommodations
Explore accommodations and modifications in special education to understand how they support your child’s learning, discover examples tailored to different needs, and learn how to collaborate with the school team to ensure effective implementation.Explore our carefully crafted content designed to inform and inspire you.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Annual IEP Meetings
Learn about annual IEP meetings to understand their role in updating your child’s educational plan, explore what happens during these collaborative discussions, and discover practical ways to prepare and contribute effectively to your child’s success.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Assistive Technology
Learn about assistive technology in special education, discover tools that can enhance your child’s learning and communication, and explore practical ways to integrate these technologies into their educational plan.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Behavior Plans
Understand behavior plans in special education, learn how they address challenging behaviors through positive strategies, and discover ways to collaborate with the team to support your child’s emotional and social growth.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
DAPE Services
Learn about Developmental Adaptive Physical Education (DAPE) services in special education, understand their focus on physical development for students with disabilities, and explore how tailored activities can support your child’s overall growth.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Evaluation Meetings
Learn about evaluation result meetings in special education to understand their purpose, who attends, and how they help determine eligibility for services, while discovering practical ways to prepare and advocate for your child’s educational needs.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Evaluations
Discover the special education evaluation process to understand how it identifies your child’s strengths and needs, learn what to expect from assessments and timelines, and explore ways to actively participate in creating a tailored educational plan for your child.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Extended School Year
Explore extended school year (ESY) services in special education to understand their purpose in preventing skill regression during breaks, learn about eligibility criteria, and discover ways to advocate for summer support if needed.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Homebound Services
Learn about homebound services in special education for students unable to attend school due to medical or other reasons, discover eligibility criteria and available supports, and explore ways to ensure continuity in your child’s education.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
IEP Overview
Discover the essentials of an IEP, including its purpose, components, and how it serves as a roadmap for your child’s education, while learning how to actively participate in its development and implementation.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Initial IEP Meetings
Learn about initial IEP meetings to understand their purpose in creating a tailored educational plan, explore what to expect during the meeting, and discover practical ways to prepare and collaborate with the team to support your child’s success.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Input for Evaluations
Learn how parents play a vital role in the special education evaluation process, explore the types of forms and information schools may request, and discover practical tips for providing meaningful input to ensure your child’s needs are accurately assessed and supported.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Least Restrictive Environment
Understand the concept of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in special education, learn how it ensures your child receives appropriate support while engaging with peers, and explore ways to advocate for inclusive educational opportunities.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Manifestation Determination
Explore manifestation determination meetings to understand their purpose in reviewing disciplinary actions for students with disabilities, learn what happens during these meetings, and discover how to advocate for fair decisions that prioritize your child’s needs.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Occupational Therapy Services
Learn about occupational therapy services in special education, understand how they support your child’s fine motor skills and daily functioning, and explore ways to integrate these services into their educational plan.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Prior Written Notices / Consent
Understand the importance of Prior Written Notices and parental consent in the special education process, learn when and why these are provided, and discover actionable steps to review, respond, and advocate for your child’s educational needs.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Procedural Safeguards
Explore procedural safeguards under IDEA to understand how they protect your rights in the special education process, get answers to common questions about their contents and timing, and learn actionable ways to use them to advocate effectively for your child’s education
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Progress Reports
Learn how special education progress reports impact your child’s education and discover practical tips to navigate IEP goal updates, communication with the school team, and record-keeping with confidence and clarity.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Referrals
Learn about the special education referral process to understand how it identifies your child’s needs, explore step-by-step guidance on making and navigating referrals, and discover practical ways to collaborate with the school to ensure your child receives appropriate support.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Revoking Consent
Understand the process of revoking consent for special education services, learn what it means for your child’s educational plan moving forward, and explore considerations before making this decision.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Social Work Services
Understand the role of social work services in special education, learn how they support emotional well-being and family connections, and explore ways these services can help your child thrive both in school and at home.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Speech Language Services
Discover the role of speech-language services in special education, understand how they address communication challenges, and learn how these services can enhance your child’s academic and social success.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Summary of Performance
Understand the Summary of Performance (SOP) provided when your child graduates or ages out of special education services, learn how it documents achievements and future recommendations, and explore ways it supports post-secondary planning.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Supporting Learning at Home
Explore strategies for supporting learning at home as part of a comprehensive educational plan, learn practical tips for reinforcing skills outside the classroom, and discover ways to collaborate with educators for consistent progress.
A Parent / Guardian's Guide to Success
Understanding Special Education Services
Explore the basics of special education to understand how personalized services can support your child’s unique needs, get answers to common questions about evaluations and accommodations, and learn practical ways to collaborate with the school to help your child thrive.
Still have questions? Ask our AI Expert!
This Special Education Expert specializes in special education rules, laws, best practices and resources. It is training on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Minnesota Rules, and numerous organizations committed to supporting parents.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, I am not a legal professional. For specific legal concerns or advice regarding special education laws and regulations, please consult with a qualified attorney or a special education advocate. Your child’s unique needs and circumstances should be discussed with professionals familiar with your local education system and applicable laws.
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