Bridges, Not Barriers: An Educator’s Guide to Advocating for Your Child in Special Education

When your child is identified for special education, the meetings, paperwork, and unfamiliar acronyms can feel like a language you were never taught. Bridges, Not Barriers is the guide Courtney Kelley wishes every parent had from day one - a clear, compassionate walkthrough of the entire special education process, written by a special education inclusion teacher who has sat on both sides of the table.Inside, you'll learn: - What an evaluation actually measures - and how to make sense of the scores and reports you receive- What happens at an ARD/IEP meeting, who's in the room, and how to prepare and speak up with confidence- How to read and use your child's IEP so it actually works for them, not just on paper- Your rights as a parent under IDEA, FAPE, LRE, FERPA, Section 504, and other key protections- The most common misconceptions about special education - and the truth behind them- What to do when something isn't working, from asking better questions to formal dispute resolution- A full glossary of terms and acronyms, so you can walk into any meeting speaking the same language as the professionals across the tableOrganized chapter by chapter - from your child's first evaluation through IEP meetings, parent rights, and long-term advocacy - Bridges, Not Barriers equips parents with the knowledge, the right questions, and the confidence to become an equal, informed partner in their child's education. Because you don't have to know everything to be a strong advocate. You just need to know where to start.