Putting Families First: Dialogue With Parents of Students With Individualized Education Plans

• In Event: Parent Narratives of Advocacy, Guidance, and Racial Socialization

Abstract

Parent narratives about their children receiving Special Education services are the focus of this research. A cross-case analysis of parent dialogues reveals four themes: the convenience of educators, schools, and districts; the disregard for parent perspectives; the parent as an advocate; and the desire for asset-based thinking and collective problem-solving. Families have fewer opportunities for meaningful involvement in the IEP process due to schools and districts' constraints. Parent narratives should be considered by educators through more authentic partnerships. Parents' voices must be at the center of all interactions between educators and parents. Parent narratives should be taken seriously and should be used to inform decisions made in the IEP process. When family assets and knowledge are valued, new possibilities emerge.

Author

• Kristin T. Vogel-Campbell, North Point ESC