This video features special education attorney Grace Kim discussing End of the Year IEPs and Extended School Year (ESY) services. She explains that ESY services, provided over the summer, are considered to maintain progress and address regression. Kim also stresses the importance of measurable “Smart Goals” and objective data for measuring a child’s success and progress.

Explore the legal foundation, including the IDEA, Section 504, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which guarantee a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and prohibit discrimination. The presentation highlights the importance of advocacy and ensuring equitable opportunity for all students.

This video explores military families who homeschool, citing reasons like stability during PCS moves and customization for disability needs. The talk covers key findings, advantages like consistency and flexibility, and challenges including varying state laws and limited supports. 

Learn about the role of School Liaison Officers (SLOs), dedicated professionals who connect military families to local schools and resources. SLOs ease transitions like frequent moves, act as problem solvers and advocates, and support children’s success. They help with special education plans (IEP/504), homeschooling, and permanent change of station (PCS) moves.

We discuss the Military Student Identifier (MSI): what it is, why it’s collected under the Every Student Succeeds Act, and how it helps track the academic achievement and support needs of military-connected students. MSI challenges include inconsistent reporting and the inability to separate data for students with disabilities. We urge families to self-identify and advocate.

The special report features a discussion with Dr. Jenna Kremkow, Barbara Bratton, and Carla Wyrsch. They explore the common challenges faced by educators and families who serve military-connected students with special needs.

Our team discusses homeschooling among military families, a group that makes up almost 10% of our survey respondents. The conversation emphasizes that homeschooling can be a flexible, short-term option for military families, especially for those with children who have special needs, and that it doesn’t have to be a permanent commitment.

This webinar, hosted by Partners in PROMISE, focuses on behavior supports for military children. It helps military families learn about behaviors, strategies, and tools for success. The session covers sensory needs, FBAs, BIPs, and supports for home and community.

This video features special education attorney Grace Kim discussing when parents should seek professional legal or advocate help. She outlines red flags in IEP meetings, such as the school lacking data on a student’s progress or dictating decisions without proper discussion. Parents are advised on their rights, including bringing an advocate, demanding data, and utilizing partial consent.

Barnhill and reading specialist Melinda Giordano discuss when military parents should address their children’s potential reading struggles. Giordano says common letter reversals are often normal until second grade, but a struggling, high-functioning child who has difficulty with phonological awareness, skips punctuation, or doesn’t recognize frequent words is a cause for concern.

Dr. Jeffrey Katz, a clinical psychologist, discusses ADHD in military families. He covers recognizing symptoms, the impact of PCS moves and deployments, the need for structure, and tips for navigating school meetings (IEP/504), emphasizing the parent’s role as the child’s best advocate.