Families can benefit from the expertise of special educators
One strategy that special educators may employ to help families realize that their child would benefit from having a less restrictive environment is collaboration. Special educators can also work with families to understand their preferences and goals. It can build trust and create a partnership that is focused on the child’s best interests. Information and education. Families can receive information from special educators about different environments available. This includes less restrictive options, such as self-contained classrooms and inclusion. Special educators can explain both the advantages and the possible challenges to each type of environment, as well as help parents understand the impact on their child’s development. Data-driven decision making. Special educators may use data such as observations and assessments to inform their decisions about a restrictive or more relaxed environment. (Billingsley, et al. 2019, 2019). Families can use this data to help them understand their child’s potential growth and strengths. Families may find this topic sensitive due to concerns over their child’s emotional and social well-being as well as their access to the general education curriculum and potential success in that environment. Cont…