Parents and Families are Valuable Partners

Inclusive schools that have maintained success over time have a very important commonality: They engage family members in meaningful school and classroom activities. Family involvement is an important component in nurturing a school environment of acceptance and support. The federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) provides funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Parent Centers in every U.S state, in U.S. territories, and to serve the families of U.S. Military around the world.  These Parent Centers provide information and resources to educate parents and to help schools actively engage families in their children’s education.  The Center for Parent Information and Resources maintains a Parent Center Directory of all federally-funded Parent Centers that serve families of children with disabilities in all 50 United States, U.S. territories, and in the U.S. Military around the world.

To connect with your state’s Parent Center and learn more about the role of parents and families in supporting inclusive education, visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources.