This resource offers a unique, teacher-friendly collection of ready-to-use techniques for involving the parents of students with special needs in the education of their children. Jill Dardig provides detailed descriptions of 25 parent communication and involvement strategies, each followed by models or templates appropriate for implementing the strategy at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels. Mainstream and special education teachers can select a strategy, choose the model that most closely resembles their teaching situation, adapt the strategy or use it as is, and immediately put it into practice. The models are appropriate for all types of settings, including self-contained classes, resource rooms, and full- or partial-inclusion classrooms.

"This book makes a great contribution to education. Teachers across specialties would find these strategies helpful for facilitating communication with parents and caregivers." -Erin Jones, Special Education Teacher Tea Area Elementary School, SD "Involving parents on a positive level is essential to educating all students, especially students with special needs. This book helps readers with real-world situations-something that most college courses cannot prepare you for. Easy and user-friendly, this book provides strategies and tools to aid in communicating with parents." -Laura Peterson, Special Education Teacher Center School, Stow, MA Bridge the communication gap with parents of children with special needs! Research has shown that establishing strong communication links with parents and promoting family involvement can have positive and tangible effects on a student's success in school. In this teacher-friendly resource, Jill C. Dardig provides 25 ready-to-use techniques for involving parents in the education of their children. Both general and special education teachers in Grades PreK-12 can use these strategies to reach the parents of students with a wide range of learning needs, including cognitive, emotional/behavioral, social, sensory, and physical disabilities, as well as the parents of typically developing students. Involving Parents of Students With Special Needs anticipates the challenges to parent involvement and provides step-by-step directions, sample materials, and tips for Using letters, telephone, email, newsletters, and progress reports to communicate with parents Conducting successful parent conferences and in-person meetings Connecting parents with needed resources Helping parents teach their children at home Dealing with home/school conflict situations Preparing a parent involvement action plan This practical guide helps teachers and parents work together to give students with special needs the necessary support to succeed in school.