1. How to Keep Breathing During an IEP Meeting Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition

2. Breathing 1.to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale 2.to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds 3.to pause, as for breath; take rest 4.to move gently or blow lightly, as air 5.to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet breathing. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved April 07, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/breathinghttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/breathing

3. Four Key Challenges Goals Budgeting Time Managing Conflict Promoting Mutual Respect/ Creating Safe Space Adapted from Martin (2005) A Guide to Collaboration for IEP Teams “We couldn’t agree on anything.” “There’s never enough time.” “I feel so uncomfortable at these meetings.” “I’m not sure where we are going with the IEP.” “It lasted 2 hours and we didn’t even decide on anything!” “No one was saying what needed to be said.”

4. Some Team Conflict is to be Expected… is to be Expected…

5. * Alternatives are not considered carefully. *Minority opinions are silenced. *Disagreements among members or controversy is suppressed.

6. Disagreement about child needs, goals and problem identification Coordination problems Implementation and evaluation problems Communication problems Lack of familiarity and trust Lack of knowledge/skills in problem solving and collaborative team processes We stop inhaling and exhaling

7. Well managed team conflict can... *Stimulate team interest. *Allow for new ideas. *Lead to creative problem solving. *Improve decision making. *Build stronger team bonds. *Create ownership and commitment for decisions.

8. Safeguarding the Collaborative Process: What YOU Can Do Tip #1: Promote a Shared Vision Positive Student Profile Asking is Affirming Move from My to Ours

9. Safeguarding the Collaborative Process: What YOU Can Do Tip #2: Understand the Other Listen Actively Ask Effective Questions

10. WHAT WE OFTEN DO with KIDS WHAT WE SOMETIMES DO with ADULTS Wait until we have their attentionAsk when we’re ready Ask open-ended questionsAsk close ended questions Ask questions with the intent of gaining new information Ask questions to be polite Find several ways to ask the same question Use limited variations of questioning Welcome most of their questions Make more statements than ask questions Ask a lot of questions Become defensive in response to some of their questions Ask varying levels of questions Ask questions mostly at the knowledge level Join them in asking questionsAsk questions at them Ask questions that prompt reflective thinking Ask questions that require little reflection (Lee, 1999, p. 47)

11. Safeguarding the Collaborative Process: What YOU Can Do Tip #3: Communicate to Support Feelings Well-Meant to Well-Said Use Non-Judgmental Language

12. 10 Tips for Drawing Out the Best in People 1.Ask others for ideas and opinions 2.Listen well enough to ask related questions about the topic 3.Request their help when brainstorming about a current issue 4.Encourage others to expand or elaborate on topics they initiate 5.Check in to see that you are understanding where they are “coming from” 6.Share common interests 7.When you have questions or need to discuss an issue, ask when is the best time to meet. 8.Compliment others in authentic and specific ways. 9.Observe what times of day are best for individual interactions 10.TELL US ONE MORE! (Petryal Publications, 1999)

13. 10 Tips for Using Non-Judgmental Language 1.Avoid using words like always and never. 2.Use “yes and” rather than “yes but.” 3.Ask people to tell you more – elaborate. 4.Put as much energy into listening as you do speaking. 5.Expect and welcome different points of view. 6.Ask “how” and not “why.” 7.Give the ideas some “think time.” 8.Explain differences rather than compare. 9.Recognize your own “need to be right.” 10.Remember “right” is relative. (Petryal Publications, 1999)

14. Safeguarding the Collaborative Process: What YOU Can Do Tip #4: Be Assertive not Aggressive Know how to say “No” 1.Provide an explanation 2.Offer an alternative 3.Show support for the other person’s position 4.Invite the other person’s response

15. 15 Use an “I” message instead of a “you” message. State behavior objectively. Name your own feelings and acknowledge those of others. Say what you want to happen. Use assertive body language. (Kampwirth, 1999, p. 92-93)

16. Which aspects of the student’s education was the service supposed to effect? Access to, and participation in school? Access to extra-curricular activities? Access to the general education curriculum? Progress toward IEP goals or objectives? Progress toward general education learning outcomes? Provision of general supports or accommodations? Enhancement of valued life outcomes?

17. Safeguarding the Collaborative Process: What YOU Can Do Tip #5: Manage Conflict Promote processes to resolve disagreements Creative Problem Solving Make agreements Understand WHY to get to HOW Solution Circle