Wherever you are listening from, your area of the country is probably in full back-to-school mode. We love to bring you helpful information to ensure that your school year is off to a great start, whatever the situation for you and your kiddos. We want to educate parents and school personnel about how we can work together to make safer and more inclusive spaces for our kids in schools. Our guest today helps us start the conversation around racism and implicit bias in today’s classrooms. Join us to learn more!

Nadia Bennett is a School Turnaround Strategist who works with K-12 schools to develop leaders while fostering a culture of inclusion, and equitable achievement, and creating anti-racist school environments. She is the founder and CEO of When Brown Girls Lead and believes strongly that students and school communities evolve when more educators of color are given the opportunity to lead. Prior to her current work, Nadia was an executive director of schools, high school principal, high school assistant principal, and high school teacher. 

Show Highlights:

• What became the driving force behind Nadia’s work with When Brown Girls Lead
• How Nadia developed the skills to navigate the marginalized spaces in education
• Where the starting points are in creating anti-racist school environments
• How to look at the vital data points at your school
• Why we need intentionality in unlearning and re-creating the systems for educating all children in beneficial ways
• What teachers and parents can do to implement change
• Why we each must be responsible for seeing the biases we bring to the classroom
• How we can learn to value communities and cultures outside of our own and celebrate our commonalities
• How parents can take action today to work toward more unbiased schools

Links/Resources:

Connect with Nadia Bennett: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center, and send us your questions for Nadia Bennett for a future episode: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

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A new school year is always ripe with hope and anticipation that this one will be better than the last. We can all learn from our past mistakes AND successes to enter the 2023-2024 school year on a hopeful note. On today’s show, we talk with a guest who works every day as a fierce advocate to empower parents, grandparents, foster parents, educational right-holders, guardians, and all others who have a child in their care. Join us to learn more!

We are joined by Dan Vosnos, Executive Director of One Chance Illinois. Dan spent over 20 years in educational administration, and he understands the challenges parents face in finding the best education for their children, particularly those with unique learning disabilities. He is the proud father of Frances, his one-year-old daughter, and Ellis, his four-year-old son with Down Syndrome. One Chance Illinois is located in the Chicago suburbs and is focused on empowering parents and guardians to choose high-quality, inclusive educational options that best fit their child. 

Show Highlights:

• Dan’s perspective on inclusion and where it’s headed in the future
• How public AND private schools, summer programs, and extracurricular programs all struggle with inclusion and supports for kids with unique abilities
• How the Advocacy Council is growing nationally to advocate for more inclusive education options
• Where a parent or guardian can start in finding an advocacy group in their community
• What One Chance Illinois is currently advocating in policy change in Illinois to protect the tax credit scholarship for families

Links/Resources:

Connect with Dan and One Chance Illinois: Website, Instagram, and Twitter

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

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IEP website

Email us: [email protected]

Today’s topic is one that many people don’t recognize or acknowledge: autism in girls. Autism seems to present differently and to be much more commonly diagnosed in boys, so let’s learn more with today’s guest. 

Dr. Melody Abbene is a clinical psychologist with a specialty in working with neurodivergent people, most of whom are autistic. She does therapeutic work and adult autism assessments and is based in Los Angeles. 

Show Highlights:

• The differences in autism that present internally (more common in girls) and externally (more common in boys)
• Why girls with autism seem to blend in better with their peers
• Where parents should begin if they suspect their child is neurodivergent
• How parents can best communicate with the school team about the internal presentation of their child’s autism
• How to tell that a child might have internalized autism
• How “masking” is defined and described
• Why girls are more likely to be labeled with emotional disturbances and misdiagnosed

Links/Resources:

Connect with Dr. Melody Abbene: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

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Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected] 

Things are always changing in the field of education, and sometimes even new legislation and policies are like a whirlwind. Today’s episode takes a look at some exciting steps forward in inclusive education practices in California. Join us for more!

Arielle Starkman is an Inclusive Education Consultant originally from New Jersey, and she now lives in Los Angeles. Her career as a special educator began right out of college when she first moved to California. Comparing her east coast experience to what she saw in California left her amazed that such a progressive state was not doing more in the field of inclusive education. Throughout her career, Arielle has held various roles as a special educator and is excited about the new initiatives that will lead to big changes for families. 

Show Highlights:

• Why new policies take a LONG time to take effect and be implemented
• How the state of California has created The Inclusion Support Office Division–and what this means for students 
• Why starting kids off on the right foot from the very first day they enter the school system is the best practice for inclusion
• How the new program will increase the confidence of educators in inclusion practices and identify students’ learning needs at earlier ages
• How the California Administrative Service Credential (SB 354) will focus on inclusion and impact many students
• Key takeaways: the push for universal pre-K and multi-tiered systems of support will be the initiatives that make the most impact in inclusive education in the near future

Thank you for listening! 

Links/Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected] 

Connect with Arielle:

Website: www.ariellestarkman.com

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ariellestarkman 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielle-starkman

As always, it seems like the summer flew by, and now we find ourselves jumping into another school year already. One question that comes up frequently in IEP meetings is why schools use standardized testing for kids with learning differences. Specifically, why do many school districts hold standardized test scores as the gold standard, when we know that kids with special needs aren’t being adequately evaluated? We are tackling this topic with Dr. Jayme Jones, who returns for a Part 2 conversation.

Dr. Jayme Jones is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has maintained a private practice in CA since 1995. Her background is extensive in the assessment and treatment of preschool and school-aged children with a variety of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and she provides regular training on many related topics. We are thrilled that Dr. Jayme is joining us for a continuation of our conversation from Episode 261.

Show Highlights:

• Why the most important thing is to keep the context in mind with standardized tests
• Why it’s challenging when none of the standardized tests are well-suited to kids with learning differences–and so the results are often misused
• Why it’s  problem that protocols, manuals, and training are different for those who administer and assess tests, and not everyone knows how to integrate all the data
• Why parents feel frustrated with unnecessary standardized tests that measure special needs kids against their more typical peers
• How standardized tests have their value–ONLY when they are used in conjunction with other tests and measurements
• Dr. Jayme’s advice for teachers and school psychologists who want to better themselves in understanding testing protocols
• What parents can do in asking questions about standardized tests and communicating with teachers and school personnel

Links/Resources:

Connect with Dr. Jayme Jones: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected]

For our July shows, we are featuring a few of our most helpful episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. Today’s encore edition is the second part of last week’s episode, where we take a closer look at what the law says about IEP eligibility. This part focuses on the “other health impairments” (OHI) category. As a reminder, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), sets forth 13 eligibility categories, and each state is allowed to expand (but not shrink) these categories in their implementation. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

• What is covered by the OHI (Other Health Impairments) category of the IDEA
• How the IDEA code mentions “educational performance” but not academics
• Why a health impairment does not mean a medical diagnosis but can be anything that impacts a child’s health
• Why nothing in the code prohibits eligibility for a student with an OHI who is “making progress”
• Why we want to give parents information so they can ask about the IDEA code and how it is being interpreted for their child’s eligibility 

Links/Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected]

During our summer break for July, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. Today’s encore edition covers a disturbing trend we’ve seen about eligibility for IEPs in which children who need services are being denied for a variety of reasons. The best way to be a prepared parent is to arm yourself with knowledge. We hope this information will be helpful as you plan for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Show Highlights:

• The starting point for eligibility: the assessment
• How the trend is for opposing counsels to use special education language and buzzwords to apply delay tactics and “wait and see” approaches
• Why an IEP DOES NOT equal special day classes and removal from general education classrooms
• Why struggling children are being denied IEPs with the excuse that “they are doing OK without any services”
• Why struggling academically is NOT the only basis for IEP services for a child
• What the law actually says about eligibility criteria for IEP

Links/Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected]

For many, the intricacies of IEPs can be overwhelming, and often, essential details in the plan may be crucial to a child’s educational success. In today’s show, we are replaying a previous episode where we break down some of those little details most often overlooked in IEPs. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

• What to consider in state testing accommodations, both typical assessments and modified/alternative assessments
• Why assessments and accommodations should be discussed at every IEP meeting
• Why it might be beneficial at times to opt out of assessments for your child
• How physical education testing and district testing take place
• How to understand the terms “embedded” and “non-embedded” in regard to accommodations
• How California has a specific Medi-Cal provision to pay for some related services in the IEP
• How the “Special Factors” page may differ according to districts and states but has provisions for “low incidence” students
• How to understand the assisted technology (AT) component of the IEP

Links/Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us here and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us: [email protected]

During our summer break for the month of July, we are featuring a few of our most popular episodes that you might have missed during the busy school year. Today’s encore edition covers important information for parents who are gearing up for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Join us as we break down some of those little details that are most often overlooked in IEP meetings. 

Show Highlights:

• What to consider in state testing accommodations, both typical assessments and modified/alternative assessments
• Assessments and accommodations should be discussed at every IEP meeting
• Why it might be beneficial at times to opt out of assessments for your child
• How physical education testing and district testing take place
• Understanding the terms “embedded” and “non-embedded” regarding to accommodations
• California has a specific Medi-Cal provision to pay for some related services in the IEP
• The “Special Factors” page may differ according to districts and states but has provisions for “low incidence” students
• How to understand the assisted technology (AT) component of the IEP

Links/Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Jack Robinson, a partner and co-founder of the law firm Spies, Powers, and Robinson, in Denver, CO. In last week’s episode, he highlighted his landmark case, Endrew F v. Douglas County School District, and we discussed its impact for students with disabilities across the nation. Our focus today is Jack’s perspective on the state of special education today and how things can differ from one jurisdiction to another. 

As we usually do, we are taking a summer break from podcast episodes, but we wrap up on a high note with today’s continuing conversation with Jack. As we put this school year behind us, we look forward to a fun and relaxing summer as we gear up for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. We wish you all a wonderful summer, and please keep up with us on social media and connect with us there until we return with new episodes. Join us now for more with Jack Robinson!

Show Highlights:

• Jack’s initial reaction to the Supreme Court ruling in the Endrew F. case 
• What he was trying to accomplish in taking the case to the Supreme Court
• What Jack has seen since the Court’s decision was handed down AND the pandemic occurred regarding actual systemic change in education in the US
• Key takeaways from Jack: The value of communication and collaboration when it comes to the best interests of all children

Links/Resources:

Connect with Jack: Website

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   

Thank you for listening! 

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

Facebook

Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!

Twitter

IEP website

Email us