Parent Communication: An IEP Case Study in Four Steps (Written and Simulation)

This is an exercise for college students and teachers to practice communication and conferencing skills with parents.

Objectives:

- Encourage and seek participation from parents and colleagues in a mock IEP meeting.

- Demonstrate respect of family culture when interacting.

- Write effective emails with a positive opening comment, a body with a short paragraph for each point, and a closing statement with follow up planned.

- Plan phone calls and conferences reflecting a positive opening comment, collaborative problem solving, and a closing summary of actions and plans for follow up.

An elementary and a secondary case study is included.

Step 1: Send an email (written exercise)

Step 2: Call the parent (written or simulation)

Step 3: Conference with the parent (written or simulation)

Step 4: Hold an IEP Meeting (simulation and written)

Contents include:

• Introduction with objectives, overview, and rubric
• Detailed case study Task Cards (email, phone call, conference, IEP meeting), ready to print and use. Task cards provide context, a detailed outline to structure each type of communication, and sample scripting to use as-is or as a prompt. These can be uploaded to your learning management system.
• Two completed IEPs one for Anna (elementary) and one for James (secondary)
• Name tents for IEP team members to use during an in-person mock IEP meeting
• Written response document for the summary activity. Participants record written responses for Steps 1-4 after the practice activities using Task Cards.