1. Active Student Participation Inspires Real Engagement
ASPIRE
Active Student Participation Inspires Real Engagement
Family Presentation
Hello my name is ……..
This is Module 3 of a series of family presentation on ASPIRE: Active Student Participation Inspires Real Engagement. ASPIRE is a student led IEP and self determination project develop by the Department of Education, Division for Special Education Services and Supports. 1

2. ASPIRE A Collaborative Initiative between
The Georgia Department of Education,
Division for Special Education Services and Supports
and The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
Funded by the Georgia State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), Georgia Department of Education through a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs, United States Department of Education.
ASPIRE is a collaborative initiative between The Georgia Department of Education, Division for Special Education Services and Supports and The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.
ASPIRE is funded by the Georgia State Personnel Development Grant, through a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs. 2

3. PARTICIPATION IN ASPIRE
Module 3 focuses on participating in ASPIRE. 3

4. Just Imagine… …your child
creating an invitation and introducing themselves and others at the meeting.
clicking a mouse to move from one slide to the next in a Power Point presentation.
discussing strengths, challenges and goals for their life after high school.
facilitating the IEP meeting and mentoring other students.
These are only a few ways that your child can participate in their IEP meeting.
The level of participation can be as unique as your child and is based on their strengths and abilities.
Participation in ASPIRE applies to all students with disabilities receiving services in every disability category. 4

5. Student-Led IEP Meeting
What are students, parents and teachers saying about student-led IEPs? (“Determined Student Involvement in IEP”) Partnership for Success DVD
The ASPIRE program was modeled after the student-led IEP project developed by Virginia. Virginia’s program is called I’m Determined.
They have developed some videos that feature students, parents and teachers talking about how student-led IEPs have been a benefit. 5

6. How Can You Help? Learn the ASPIRE concepts. NEXT
Talk to your child about:
IEP goals.
accommodations.
Encourage them to do the activities needed to participate in the meeting.
Prepare for the IEP using the Pre-Planning Meeting handout.
You are learning the concepts now
The other things you can do is:
talk with your child about their IEP goals and accommodations
support the work that your student’s teacher is doing by encouraging your child to participate
encourage your child to speak up at home and in the IEP meetings
use the tools that the school will give you get you and your child ready for their next IEP meeting 6

7. Positive Actions You can Take?
Focus on the positive:
We all have unique strengths, talents, gifts, interests and learning differences.
Recognize that your child is more like typical kids than different.
Use people-first language and language the student will understand.
We understand that many parents don’t what to have their child feel that there is something “wrong” with them by discussing their disability.
ASPIRE focuses on the students positive aspects and on helping to create positive experiences and supports.
Remember, your child already hears about all of the things they can’t do. Be sure to let your child know that their disability does not define who they are.
While it might make us uncomfortable to discuss disabilities, your child should know how their disability affects their life at school and at home so that they can begin to use their strengths to compensate for those areas that are a challenge.
All children and adults have challenges and knowing what they are is the first step to finding a way to make up for them.
Use people first language and encourage others around you to do the same. If you do not know what people first language is, you can request a copy from your child’s special education teacher. 7

8. Supporting Self-Determination
Discuss role models and coping and learning strategies.
Set high, but reasonable expectations.
Praise progress and effort.
Encourage them to speak up for themselves.
Sometimes parents feel it might be best if they don’t discuss their child’s disability; doing so may actually cause your child to continue to underestimate themselves. They can think I’m not smart, I’m no good, I can’t learn.”
Help them to see that there are many people with disabilities who are living good lives and have done great things. Let them know that there are many people with disabilities working in all types of careers, going to technical schools and college.
Setting your expectations high, while providing support, will give your child the confidence to think that they can do better.
Give your child opportunities to express themselves, making choices and disagreeing occasionally. Encourage them to be strong self-advocates. 8