Meaningful and Active Family Engagement: IEP, Transition and Technology Integration in Special Education

Book excerpt: In the domain of education, the crucial connection between families and professionals faces obstacles that create a gap undermining student success. The conventional family engagement model falls short as the concept of "family" broadens to encompass various individuals influencing a child's learning path. Despite recognized significance backed by research and federal mandates, systemic barriers persist, disproportionately impacting culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse families. Furthermore, the absence of a unified resource that integrates disability, diversity, and technology exacerbates these issues, leaving educators unprepared to establish fair educational settings. Offering a groundbreaking solution, Millicent Musyoka's research book, titled Meaningful and Active Family Engagement: IEP, Transition, and Technology Integration in Special Education, disrupts the existing norm and redefines family engagement. Through this pioneering work, both scholars and educators gain a comprehensive manual for navigating the intricate terrain of inclusive education. Musyoka's expertise, spanning multilingualism, multicultural education, and special education, equips readers with strategies to bridge the divide between professionals and families. By highlighting legislative foundations and validated theories, the book offers a roadmap to transform engagement into purposeful collaboration. Meaningful and Active Family Engagement: IEP, Transition, and Technology Integration in Special Education covers diverse topics, including involving diverse families and those with disabilities, and integrating technology for effective communication. Through case studies, conflict resolution insights, and appreciation of diversity's benefits, Musyoka empowers readers to foster inclusive educational environments. The book's innovation lies in its comprehensive approach, addressing disability, diversity, and technology as interlinked components. Academics, educators, and service providers will discover this resource as transformative—a pivotal stride toward achieving equity, social justice, and enhanced student outcomes.