Description:

Studies show that school efforts are more effective when positive family-school relationships are established, and parent-voices are heard. Serving on Groups is a nationally recognized leadership tool that empowers family members to actively and fully participate in decision-making groups, such as their child’s IEP team, school advisory council or other government councils. The most effective groups use processes to guide their work, and a clear process sets the direction toward the group’s goals. Section 3 will introduce you to some basic principles and processes that groups can use for effective decision-making.

Presenter:

Jan Serak is the Director of Serak Consulting Services, LLC, where she provides board training, interim nonprofit management, curriculum development, and related services to nonprofit organizations. Before retiring, she was the founder and CEO of WI FACETS and a founder and Parent Partner of the Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System. Jan has held extensive leadership and advisory roles with state and national organizations focused on education, disability advocacy, and dispute resolution, including the National PLACE, Autism Society, and the National Center for Deaf-Blindness. She earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Dispute Resolution from Marquette University. She is the parent of two adult sons, one of whom has autism.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about 7 Principles of Shared Decision-making.

Learn processes that effective groups use, including Goal Setting and Reaching Agreement.

Identify ways to gather and use accurate information for making well-informed decisions and resources for creating action plans.