stacey mccrath-smith student centered collaboration conference jscee october 29, 2011
TRANSCRIPT
ENGAGING FAMILIES IN A
COLLABORATIVE IEP PROCESS
Stacey McCrath-SmithStudent Centered Collaboration Conference
JSCEE October 29, 2011
LEARNING OUTCOME We will identify components of an effective collaborative decision making process.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND Daughter of SPS teacher Student in SPS Teacher in Los Angeles and SPS
Parent of 2 SPS students Principal in Los Angeles and SPS
SPS Central Office Administrator, Special Ed.
FIGHTING FOR ADVOCACY AND EQUITY
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NOT MEAN TURNING TO THE DARK SIDE!!!
CEO
Director Director Director
Team
Team
Team Team
Team
TeamTeam
Director
Superintendent
Central Office
Schools
Administrators
ParentsTeachers
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS‘
Administrators
TeachersParents
COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZATIONStudent Centered
Student
A LITTLE HISTORY
Modern Special Education services have their roots in
the French philosophy of education
Lassiez-Faire “meeting the child where
they are”
HISTORY CONT.
General Education’s roots stem from a Germanic
philosophy of goals and achievement
PL 94-142
The authors of Special Education law envisioned the development of the IEP to be a collaborative process that
could bring together two schools of thought as well as providing parents/guardians with authentic involvement in the educational process.
BARRIERS Specialization No Child Left Behind State Testing Inadequate Funding/Diminishing Resources
Cuts to Social Services
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Turn and TalkWhat do you see as
other Barriers to the Collaborative
Process?
DEALING WITH BUREAUCRACY Sometimes it feels like you never
get a straight answer…..”Hello this is Peggy..”
GETTING TO YES Negotiation is a fact of life.
We are all negotiators
THE TROUBLE WITH POSITIONAL BARGAINING
Disatisfaction Discord
SOFTParticipants are
friendsGoal is agreementConcessions to
cultivateAccept one sided
losses to reach agreement
Try to avoid a contest of will
Yield to Pressure
HARDParticipants are
adversariesThe Goal is victoryDemand concessionsMake threatsDistrustTry to win a contest of
willApply Pressure
GETTING TO YES
Roger Fisher and William Ury
PRINCIPLED NEGOTIATIONSeparate the People from the
problemFocus on Interests not positionsGenerate a variety of
possibilities before deciding what to do
Insist that the result be based on some objective standard.
SEPARATE PEOPLE FROM PROBLEM We are not are positions Separate ego from the situation
Soft on People Hard on the Problem Proceed independent of Trust
FOCUS ON INTERESTSExplore interestsAvoid having a bottom line
Always redirect to what is in the best interest of the student
INVENT OPTIONS FOR GAINDevelop multiple options to choose from, decide later
Weigh the options based on their merits, not on opinion
Suspend disbelief
INSIST ON USING OBJECTIVE CRITERIANo dirty tricksReason and be open to reasonYield to Principles not PressureTry to reach a result based on standards independent of will
What are the outcomes we want to see?
COMMUNICATION Constructive Transparent Frequent
ALLOW TIME Maintain vigilance but temper with patience
Change takes time
WHAT IS IMPORTANT?? By breaking down barriers and creating partnerships we are able to create successful environments for our children!!
