Your Guide to TN-TAN: Empowering Tennessee’s Special Needs Families
Families with special needs children often face challenges in securing appropriate educational and developmental support, even when working within the public school system. The Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN), funded by the Department of Education, serves to facilitate additional resources and support to educators, administrators, advocates, and families. TN-TAN provides free, high-caliber technical assistance and […]
Understanding Psychoeducational Evaluations
As a caregiver, seeing your child struggle in school can be distressing. When typical progress isn’t apparent, considering a psychoeducational evaluation administered by a psychologist and relevant school team members might be a beneficial step. These evaluations assess a range of skills — cognitive abilities, academic performance in areas like reading, writing, and math, and […]
If it isn’t Documented, it never happened! Documentation and Communication in Special Education
When preparing for an IEP meeting to ensure your child receives the necessary special education and related services, it’s necessary to document thoroughly and consistently. Start with a new notebook or digital document and log daily details about your child’s special education services, team contacts, and activities. Detailed documentation, from teacher anecdotal forms to logs […]
Recording IEP Meetings: Weighing the Benefits and Considerations
In Special Education, the IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings are pivotal gatherings that shape a student’s educational path. As both an advocate and parent, I’ve witnessed the complexity and importance of these meetings in my family and the lives of families I’ve worked with. Picture a conference room with educators, parents, and students gathered around […]