Parent Connections, Collaborations, and Resources

  •  Welcome Parents!

    Parent partnerships are an important part of the support that we provide for all students. We value parent voice in Special Education, School Counseling, and School Health Services.  Receive information about upcoming meetings and information by signing up for the "WLWV Special Education" group in ParentSquare. 

    Welcome to Special Education

    We are so glad that you are here! Whether your family is new to our district or new to special education services, we want to warmly welcome you.  You are not alone - our team is here to partner with you every step of the way. We've created a collection of resources to help you get started.  These tools are meant to support your understanding of the special education process and highlight opportunities to collaborate.

    • Welcome packet. This welcome packet includes key information for you around our guiding principles, student voice and participation in their educational plan, instructional practices, inclusive cultures and belonging, and partnership with families. 
    • A Special Education Contact List Template to organize your student's support team.
    • FACT Oregon: FACT is a great partner of the District and a resource for families. FACT Oregon works to empower families of youth experiencing disability by expanding disability awareness, growing community, and equipping families in their pursuit of whole lives.
    • Procedural Safeguards from the Oregon Department of Education and a one page overview: Parent Rights at a Glance. 
    • Smart Start: This is an opportunity for students with 504s and IEPs, and their parent-guardians, to meet their teachers and prepare for the start of the school year. 
    • One Page Profiles: As a parent/guardian, you have a vision for your student.  One Page Profiles are a strength-based way to keep your student at the center.  FACT Oregon has templates and examples for making your own one page profile for your student.

    Backpack with the words "Toolkit of Support" showing resources coming out of it.

    Working Together: The District & Parent Collaboration Group 

    Every aspect of a child's educational process is about true partnership between parents and educators. In the Special Education process parents are part of the team in developing each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). We work together in formal and informal ways to support the academic and social success of each child.
     
    In addition to the involvement that parents have in their individual child's special education plan, we value collaboration with parents on ways we can work more effectively as an organization to support all children. The Parent and District Special Education Collaboration Group provides an on-going venue to learn together and help our school community to continually improve in our supports for students with disabilities.    
     

    WLWV Parent and District SPED Collaboration Group Focus:

    • To provide input to the district in establishing priorities and goals for West Linn-Wilsonville Schools in supporting students with disabilities 
    • To be key communicators in developing deeper understanding around complex issues in special education
    • To support collaboration in the special education process between parents and district educators
    • To support the awareness of resources available to parents to support their children through the special education process and in positive community inclusion

    The District-Parent Special Education Collaboration Group meets 4 times this year: 

    • Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 from 5:00-6:30

    • Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 from 8:30-10:00

    • Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 from 5:00-6:30

    • Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 from 8:30-10:00

    All meetings are at the District Office Board Room 22210 SW Stafford Road Tualatin, OR 97062. 

    Student Voice in the IEP Process

    Imagine planning a birthday party… and forgetting to invite the birthday child. That’s the metaphor behind the article Why Is This Cake On Fire?  It is a powerful reminder that IEP meetings are meant for students, not just about them.

    Watch the Story Come to Life

    Read the Full Article

    Why Is This Cake On Fire? by Jamie Van Dycke, James Martin, and David Lovett — published in Teaching Exceptional Children

    Why Student Involvement Matters

    Students thrive when they:

    • Attend their IEP meetings, starting as early as Kindergarten

    • Share their strengths, interests, and goals

    • Help shape accommodations that support their learning

    • Take ownership of their growth and success

    As one WLWV student said:

    “If I’m not at this meeting, how will I know what my goals are? If I don’t know what my goals are, how will I meet them?”

    Reflective Questions for Families & Educators

    • Are students invited early and often?

    • Do they help choose who attends?

    • Are they supported to lead, share, and reflect?

    • Do they understand the purpose of their IEP?

    Our Commitment in WLWV

    We believe every student deserves:

    • A voice in their learning journey

    • A seat at the table and a role in shaping it

    • An IEP that reflects their hopes, strengths, and needs

    Let’s make every IEP meeting feel like a celebration of growth.

    Questions? Reach out to your case manager to explore how your child can participate meaningfully in their IEP.

    Opportunities for Parents of Children with Autism 

    Columbia Regional Program offers training events for families both virtually and in person. Please visit https://www.crporegon.org/domain/100 to see upcoming events! 

    Parent Resources 
     
    Procedural Safeguards - Parents Rights Booklets - available in multiple languages
    Parent Rights at a Glance a one-page overview of the Procedural Safeguards booklet 
    Derechos de los padres de un vistazo- Parent Rights at a Glance in Spanish
     

    County and Regional Programs

     

    State Programs and Resources

     

    Other Links

     
     
    Anxiety Continuum of Supports
     
     
    Attention Continuum of Supports Diagram
     
     
     Dyslexia Continnum of Supports