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Every bit of progress is worth celebrating—big wins and small steps alike. This post shares ideas for recognizing your child’s hard work, boosting confidence, and building momentum. Because celebrating progress keeps everyone motivated—kids, parents, and the IEP team too.

Sometimes kids stall in their IEP progress, and that’s when parents need to take action. In this post, I walk you through what steps to take when growth isn’t happening—like requesting new supports, revising goals, and pushing for accountability.

Parents often get progress reports that raise more questions than answers. This post gives you the exact questions to ask your IEP team—about how often data is collected, who’s collecting it, and what tools are used—so you can move beyond vague updates to real clarity.

“Making progress” isn’t enough. Schools must track progress with actual data, not vague notes. This post shows you how IEP progress should be monitored, what tools schools might use, and how you can make sure the data tells your child’s real story.

Not all IEP goals are created equal. A strong goal should be specific, measurable, and realistic—something you can actually track. In this post, I break down the SMART framework and explain why benchmarks matter for keeping your child on track.

Child using laptop for progress monitoring I was working with a family, helping them advocate for their daughter. She had been classified for 4 years and had made minimal progress in literacy. When I asked them for her progress monitoring, they said, “That’s just it—we don’t have any.” They had progress reports (vague notes from the teacher) but nothing that actually reported on their child’s progress toward meeting her goals. It was then that I realized parents need a clear

Download As a parent, you don’t have to wait for the school to call an IEP meeting. If you see something isn’t working—or your child’s...

Download How the C-le Syllable Saved My Spelling Life Confession time: My entire life, until I started studying Orton-Gillingham, I was a...

A parent-friendly one-pager for IEP/504 meetings. Print it. Bring it. Use it.

Here is a template for an introductory letter to your child’s teacher. Keep this email short, positive, and collaborative. It sets the...

Use this log to track all calls, emails, and meetings related to your child's education.

Special education is full of acronyms that can make meetings feel like a different language. This quick guide translates the most common...

When you suspect your child needs support, putting your request in writing starts the clock. Use this plain-English letter to formally...

There is a lot to keep track of when a child has an IEP or 504. Use these trackers to help you keep up with your child's accommodations and supports.

Start strong. Stay supported. Advocate early. This quick, parent-friendly checklist helps you kick off the school year with confidence—before the first bell even rings. From printing your child’s IEP to sending that all-important first email to the teacher, you’ll have clear, simple steps to keep services on track and communication flowing. Because you don’t have to wait for a problem to speak up—starting early builds the bridge.

If you’ve ever felt lost during an IEP meeting or unsure how to advocate for your child, you’re not alone. This guide helps you make sense of the system—with clarity, compassion, and steps that actually make a difference.