Tennessee Special Education – 9 Effective Resources for Parents

6 Aug 2024

The special education system can be complex. The laws that protect you and your child also make the system tricky to navigate. Thankfully, there are resources to make the process easier! Listed below are the top 9 Tennessee special education parent resources that can help you navigate the system. 

1. Notice of Procedural Safeguards 

Let’s start with the foundational document, the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. This document explains your rights and the safeguards in place to protect you and your child. It’s likely you received the Notice when your child was referred for an evaluation, but it’s understandable if you found it overwhelming. The document is lengthy and filled with legal jargon. Fortunately, we will list resources that can explain the notice and answer your questions.

2. The Arc Tennessee

The Arc Tennessee provides all the assistance you need to understand your rights and the special education system. The Arc’s mission is to empower individuals with disabilities, and their education team supports special education families. They provide mentors who help families understand the system, their rights, and the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. Additionally, mentors can provide guidance and referrals. Whether you are new to the special education system or a veteran, a mentor is a valuable resource.

Bonus: The Arc created a handy infographic that distills the Notice of Procedural Safeguards!

3. Kidvokit for Tennessee

Utilizing an organization tool is another way to make your special education journey easier! Simply put, you do not have the time to sift through emails before every IEP meeting. Kidvokit is an online tool that keeps you organized! It can make your life easier by automatically detecting and filing IEP-related emails and creating a timeline with your documents. Additionally, Kidvokit gives you access to instant IEP answers with its AI assistant. Visit our “How It Works” page to learn how Kidvokit can help you!

4. TNSTEP

Did you know that there are nationally funded centers for parents of children in special education? Parent Centers are located throughout the country, and TNSTEP is Tennessee’s. As a parent center, TNSTEP provides free parent trainings and resources. Their website includes links to downloadable guides on topics such as  the difference between IEP and 504, ADHD, assistive technology, and more. They also offer a Parent Manual! Most helpfully, they provide personalized guidance and referrals when you contact their office. 

5. Disability Rights

You will have many questions when advocating for your child. Disability Rights TN can answer your questions. They provide legal and advocacy guidance to all individuals with disabilities in Tennessee. They are extremely helpful when legal issues occur, but even if you do not have a legal issue, they can provide guidance and referrals. Visit Disability Rights TN’s website to learn more. 

6. Family Engagement in Special Education

Another helpful organization is Family Engagement in Special Education. Family Engagement provides multiple one-pagers and infographics that simplify the special education system. Most importantly, they provide personalized IEP support! Additionally, when you visit Family Engagement’s website, don’t forget to check out their free parent trainings and family events. 

7. Wrightslaw

Wrightslaw equips you to be the best advocate you can be! Much of the special education system involves laws and regulations, and  Wrightslaw can help you understand those laws. Their website makes it very easy to search for any law with their A-Z topic page. They also offer step-by-step guides for the special education process!

8. YouTube 

YouTube is always a great source of information, especially if you prefer watching webinars over reading lengthy documents. The Center for Parent Information and Resources and The National Center for Learning Disabilities are two YouTube channels that provide helpful national information. For a Tennessee specific Special Education YouTube channel, check out TNSTEP’s channel

9. Facebook Groups 

Connecting with other parents who understand the special education journey can be extremely beneficial. You can find encouragement and support by sharing the difficulties as well as the successes with people who understand. Facebook groups are a convenient platform to connect with other parents. A few Tennessee specific groups to look into are: Tennessee Autism Parent Support Group, Chat Group: Decoding Dyslexia TNSpecial Needs Parents Group Memphis TN, and Special Needs Parents of East Tennessee

Tennessee Special Education Resource Recap 

Yes, the system is complex, but you are prepared to tackle it! The resources above can help you navigate the special education system with ease. Take advantage of Tennessee’s parent center, online guides, advocacy organizations, and parent trainings to become an even stronger advocate for your child.

See how Kidvokit can keep you organized and save you time!

Gain more confidence quickly!
Navigate your child’s IEP with KidvoKit!