Parent University

The Public Education Department (PED) Office of Special Education hosted a two-day event at the Berna Facio Professional Development Center in Albuquerque on October 17th and 18th, 2025. This event was designed to empower families to navigate the special education process. Over 25 sessions and 60 presenters focused on a wide array of topics, and involved partners from across the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) and other state agencies, including: Office of Special Education (OSE), College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB), Assessment Bureau, Literacy and Humanities Bureau, Student Support Services Bureau, Multi-Layered Systems of Support and Gifted Education Bureau, Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR), Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Center for Development & Disability (UNM CDD), New Mexico Commission for the Blind, New Mexico School for the Deaf, Public Consulting Group (PCG), and Albuquerque Public Schools (APS).

Each session provided practical strategies and resources to help families confidently advocate for their child’s success. Sessions included real-world examples and tools to build partnerships with educators, develop communication plans, and advocate for inclusive education. This collaboration enhanced parent advocacy and supported lasting positive outcomes for children’s education. Explore the resources below to learn more.

Materials and Resources

AI and Accessibility: How New Tools Support Children with Disabilities

Presentation

• English Version

Cross Systems Collaboration & the NM START Program

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Cultivating Confidence: Building Self Advocacy in the Workplace

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Education for Parents of Indigenous Children with Special Needs

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Essential Components of the Individualized Educational Program (IEP)

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

The Evaluation Journey: Partnering with Schools for Your Child’s Success

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Families as Partners: Navigating Education and Special Education Together

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Finding Student Solutions through Advocacy and Collaboration

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Graduation Pathways

Presentation

• English Version

Honoring Culture, Supporting Growth: A Parent’s Role and Advocacy in the IEP Journey for Native Children with Disabilities

Presentation

• English Version

Next Step Plan (NSP)

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions: Programs and Services

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Transition Services

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Partners in Advocacy: Parents and Students Learning Together

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Self-Care Beyond Spas: Self-Regulation While Parenting

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Supporting Families Through the Transition Process: Working Together for a Smooth Process

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Twice Exceptional: Giftedness and Disability

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Understanding Reading Instruction and Supporting Your Child

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Winning Behavioral Strategies: Tips and Tricks for Supporting Your Child at Home

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

You are the Expert on Your Child: Early Childhood Classrooms and Early Intervention are Here to Support You

Presentation

• English Version

• Spanish Version

Parent Learning (Spring 2025)

The Public Education Department (PED) Office of Special Education hosted 90-minute virtual sessions to empower families to navigate the special education process. These sessions covered understanding special education rights, navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), fostering effective communication with schools, and preparing for key transitions in a child’s educational journey.

Each session provided practical strategies and resources to help families confidently advocate for their child’s success. Sessions included real-world examples and tools to build partnerships with educators, develop communication plans, and advocate for inclusive education. This collaboration enhanced parent advocacy and supported lasting positive outcomes for children’s education. Explore the resources below to learn more.

Session Recordings

• Special Education 101: Understanding the Basics - Recording

  • Passcode: #R2Q=cId

• Know Your Rights: Special Education Laws and Safeguards - Recording

  • Passcode: r+vwhc26

• High-Quality IEPs: Navigating IEP Meetings and Documentation - Recording

  • Passcode: jH@T4+!y

  • Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School

  • Passcode: YMPE%G5j

  • Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life After High School

  • Passcode: rNPA9!53

Materials and Resources

Special Education 101

Presentation

• Parent University Special Education 101 Presentation

• Parent University Special Education 101 Presentation Large Print

• Parent University Special Education 101 Presentation Spanish

Engagement Guide

• Parent University Special Education 101 Engagement Guide

• Parent University Special Education 101 Engagement Guide Large Print

• Parent University Special Education 101 Engagement Guide Spanish

Guidance Document

• Parent University Special Education 101

• Parent University Special Education 101 Large Print

• Parent University Special Education 101 Spanish

Glossary of Terms

• Parent University Special Education 101 Glossary of Terms

• Parent University Special Education 101 Glossary of Terms Large Print

• Parent University Special Education 101 Glossary of Terms Spanish

Know Your Rights

Presentation

• Parent University Know Your Rights Presentation

• Parent University Know Your Rights Presentation Large Print

• Parent University Know Your Rights Presentation Spanish

Engagement Guide

• Parent University Know Your Rights Engagement Guide

• Parent University Know Your Rights Engagement Guide Large Print

• Parent University Know Your Rights Engagement Guide Spanish

High Quality IEPs

Presentation

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Presentation

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Presentation Large Print

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Presentation Spanish

Engagement Guide

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Engagement Guide

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Engagement Guide Large Print

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Engagement Guide Spanish

Guidance Document

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs

• Parent University High-Quality IEPs Large Print

• Parent University High-Quality IEP Spanish

Preparing for the IEP Meeting

Preparing for the IEP Meeting

• Parent University Preparing for the IEP Meeting

• Parent University Preparing for the IEP Meeting Large Print

• Parent University Preparing for the IEP Meeting Spanish

Questions to Ask at the IEP Meeting

• Parent University Questions to Ask at the IEP Meeting

• Parent University Questions to Ask at the IEP Meeting Large Print

• Parent University Questions to Ask at the IEP Meeting Spanish

Communication and Collaboration

Presentation

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Presentation

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Presentation Large Print

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Presentation Spanish

Engagement Guide

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Engagement Guide

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Engagement Guide Large Print

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration: Working in Partnership with Your Child’s School Engagement Guide Spanish

Guidance Document

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration Large Print

• Parent University Strategies for Communication and Collaboration Spanish

Glossary of Terms

• Parent University Glossary of Terms

• Parent University Glossary of Terms Large Print

• Parent University Glossary of Terms Spanish

Preparing for an IEP Meeting: Caregiver Checklist

• Parent University Preparing for an IEP Meeting Checklist

• Parent University Preparing for an IEP Meeting Checklist Large Print

• Parent University Preparing for an IEP Meeting Checklist Spanish

Tips to Increase Communication and Collaboration

• Parent University Tips to Increase Communication and Collaboration

• Parent University Tips to Increase Communication and Collaboration Large Print

• Parent University Tips to Increase Communication and Collaboration Spanish

IEP Preparation Template (with Tips)

• Parent University IEP Preparation Template (with Tips)

• Parent University IEP Preparation Template (with Tips) Large Print

• Parent University IEP Preparation Template (with Tips) Spanish

Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life After High School

Presentation

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Presentation

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Large Print

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Spanish

Engagement Guide

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Engagement Guide

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Large Print

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Spanish

Guidance Document

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Guidance Document

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Large Print

• Transition: Preparing Your Child for Change from Early Childhood Through Life after High School Spanish