Parent involvement and participation in educational planning and decision-making

Parent involvement and participation in educational planning and decision-making are core values in special education and rights that are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
To better understand family involvement in special education, you will conduct a scholarly
investigation of practices that can be used by educators to increase involvement and participation
of family members of learners with special needs at school. Research must be based on a
minimum of four professional articles published in peer-reviewed journals recognized in the
field of special education.
Students will compose a five-page paper on family engagement, which must include:
(1) a summary of positive outcomes of family involvement based on the professional,
peer-reviewed research literature for students with exceptionalities,
(2) a description of common barriers to participation,
(3) a description of evidence-based practices that can be used to reduce barriers to and improve
the frequency and/or quality of family’s involvement and participation in the learner’s
educational planning and decision-making, and
(4) list of references in APA format.
Article 1
Kelty, N. E., & Wakabayashi, T. (2020). Family engagement in schools: Parent, educator, and community
perspectives. Sage Open, 10(4), 2158244020973024.

Full Answer Section
  • Lack of time
  • Lack of transportation
  • Language barriers
  • Cultural differences
  • Negative experiences with schools
  • Fear of judgment
Evidence-Based Practices There are a number of evidence-based practices that can be used to reduce barriers to family involvement and improve the frequency and quality of family participation. These practices include:
  • Building relationships with families
  • Communicating effectively with families
  • Providing flexible options for participation
  • Welcoming families from all cultures
  • Addressing concerns and fears
Conclusion Family involvement is essential for the success of students with exceptionalities. By understanding the positive outcomes of family involvement, the common barriers to participation, and the evidence-based practices that can be used to reduce barriers, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all families. References
  • Kelty, N. E., & Wakabayashi, T. (2020). Family engagement in schools: Parent, educator, and community perspectives. Sage Open, 10(4), 2158244020973024.
  • Kalyanpur, M., & Harry, B. (2012). Culturally responsive family-school partnerships: Building relationships for student success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Turnbull, A. P., Turnbull, H. R. III, Erwin, E. J., Soodak, L. C., & Shogren, K. A. (2018). Families, professionals, and exceptionality: Positive outcomes through partnerships and trust (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Additional Resources
  • The National Center for Family-Centered Practice and Outcomes: https://www.ncfp.org/
  • The National Parent Teacher Association: https://www.pta.org/
  • The Council for Exceptional Children: https://www.cec.sped.org/
Sample Answer Positive Outcomes of Family Involvement There is a growing body of research that supports the positive outcomes of family involvement for students with exceptionalities. These outcomes include:
  • Increased academic achievement
  • Improved social-emotional development
  • Reduced behavioral problems
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Stronger parent-child relationships
  • Enhanced family-school partnerships
Common Barriers to Participation While there are many benefits to family involvement, there are also a number of barriers that can prevent families from participating in their child's education. These barriers include: