Helping Families Reach Their PEAK: Partnerships That Promote Family Empowerment

Effective instruction for students with disabilities is greatly improved when families collaborate with teachers to improve learning. Family collaboration is one of the six foundational principles of IDEA. Yet, many families of students with a disability express interest in becoming involved in their child’s education beyond attending routine meetings. IDEA calls for family collaboration through mandates on IEP development, meeting involvement, and an outlet for parent concerns, all of which have the capacity to empower active participation in their child’s education (IDEA, 2004). Introducing educators to a structure for supporting family empowerment, this article offers suggestions for engaging in partnerships with families of students with disabilities. Activities outlined can be tailored for use by a whole school or individual teacher as they seek to provide opportunities for collaboration related to family and child-specific areas of needs and interests.