The issue: Parents and schools should not shy away from conflict and differences of opinion, but strive to resolve any differences in a “win-win” manner. When parents read over an IEP or any other educational document with a fine-toothed comb, or when they ask a professional outside of the school to examine and comment on the plan, they are exercising their right to be informed advocates for their child. Healthy schools see it this way, too, and welcome (even invite) this scrutiny by external parties. Subjecting their decisions to the review of a qualified outsider is much like a doctor asking for a second opinion. This is a process that enhances the likelihood of a successful outcome. By the same token, a school needs to have the “guts” to deny a parent’s unreasonable request and to demonstrate to the parent why her suggestion or request is not helpful, or perhaps even harmful. For example, teachers may need to have a serious discussion about dependency with a parent of a middle-school student who feels that it’s necessary to follow her child from class to class so he won’t forget his books, or to clean out his locker at the start of each day (I kid you not!) Return to Building Bridges Between Home and School
