Here’s Tuesday Tip # 3 — Get rid of those acronyms! Use PLAIN ENGLISH!

Here’s the First Set’s third Tuesday Tip — taken from my book, IEP and Section 504 Team Meetings… and the Law (available on Amazon and at Corwin).

Enjoy!

As a teacher, administrator, or other service provider, you have a choice! Either abandon those acronyms and initialisms outside the meeting door or provide a list like this FREE one, with explanations.

Even the best IEP or Section 504 team meeting can be overwhelming — especially for parents. School personnel should try to make everyone comfortable and –here’s the key — understandable to all, especially to parents.

During my many years as a school attorney in Massachusetts, I sat through way too many meetings that started — from the get go! — with a string of acronyms flying among school personnel! That was bad. Very bad. And so unnecessary!

After such a start, it’s hard to get meetings back on track. It’s hard to unwind discomfort and distrust.

Here’s a fun research idea! Listen carefully at your next special education or Section 504 meeting. Are the team’s words focused on being clear and parent-friendly? How many seconds (yes seconds!!) pass before the first acronym or initialism? Listening like this can be fascinating — and helpful!