Family Engagement and Its Lasting Impact on Student Learning

Making Sense of the Alphabet Soup of Education

This episode begins with a lighthearted poem, “I Do Not Like These IEPs.” The Alphabet Soup of Education, Jargon, acronyms, and technical terms, make communication between educators and parents confusing, causing misunderstandings and miscommunication. Bud and Jacobson discuss some of the l terms that perplex and befuddle parents during IEP meetings. Their intent is to help close this communication gap.

Family Engagement and Its Lasting Impact on Student Learning

Bud and Jacobson define family engagement as parents and school staff working together to support and improve the learning, development, and health of a student. In this episode, Carrie Falcone, a mother of a middle school child, is their guest. She shares her insights regarding the importance of family engagement, and the difficulties she experienced that impacted on her ability to trust her local school district.

The Importance of Early Intervention Services

This episode offers a deep dive into early intervention services. Peggy Bud interviews Tamara Jacobson, her Ask the Educator partner, about her experiences as a parent of a child with significant special needs. Tamara gives a detailed account of her journey as a mother and educator navigating the early intervention process.

Trust + Transparency = Authenticity

This episode will discuss how and why it is crucial to build genuine connections through open communication. The mantra of Ask the Educators is Trust is a Must. Trust is trusting ME to tell the truth. Trust is trusting YOU to tell the truth. And Trust is YOU believing ME and ME believing YOU. Authentic, data driven conversations build trust through honesty and transparency.

Parent-Input and the IEP Process

Parents’ input is crucial, which is why Ask the Educators invited Sivan Hong, parent and noted author, to be their special guest. This podcast discusses the importance of parents having a voice in the IEP process, which special education law specifically outlines by saying parents are equal members of their child’s IEP team. Many times,parents feel their voices are not heard or validated, leading to feeling intimidated by the process. Sivan shares her story and perspective regarding parent-input and its impact on her child’s learning.