Confident Parents in Education
The step-by-step course that takes you from overwhelmed to empowered at your child's IEP meeting.
Six modules, word-for-word scripts, and every worksheet you need to go from "something's off" to a plan you understand and can stand behind. From a special education teacher with 20+ years of experience who has been on the school side of the table.
Does this sound like you?
You know something is off, and nobody will give you a straight answer.
- You've been told to "wait and see," and you're tired of waiting.
- You walked out of a meeting with a stack of papers, a head full of acronyms, and no idea what you just agreed to.
- You freeze in the room, or get so upset you can't think, and then leave remembering everything you wish you had said.
- You nod along because you don't want to be "that parent."
- You lie awake wondering if you're doing enough, or if you've already missed something.
If that's you, hear this: you have not done anything wrong. Your child is going to be okay.
What you're missing isn't effort or love. It's information and the right words. And nobody hands those to parents.
What nobody tells you
The meeting is built for the people who do this every day.
The acronyms, the paperwork, the timelines are second nature to the school team. For you, it's your first time. Maybe your only time.
Parents who understand the process are treated differently. Not because anyone is being unkind, but because an informed parent asks better questions, spots problems earlier, and gets answers faster.
You don't need to become a lawyer. You need a clear road map, the right words, and a teacher who explains it like a friend. That's why I built this.
Meet your guide
Hi, I'm Jennifer Dollander, Ed.S.
I'm a special education teacher and certified Orton-Gillingham practitioner with more than 20 years of experience. I've been a classroom teacher and an IEP case manager, and I run a tutoring practice for children who struggle to read.
I've written IEPs. I've run the meetings. I've sat across the table from worried parents who didn't know what to ask. I started Confident Parents in Education because I kept seeing loving, capable parents who were never told the rules of the game. I can't be in every meeting. But I can give you everything I'd tell you if I were sitting beside you.
The course
The Confident IEP Parent: From "Something's Off" to a Seat at the Table
Short, clear video lessons with me on camera and over the slides, plus a worksheet for every lesson. Follow the path from the first worry to the annual review, in order, or jump to the module you need most.
Module 1Start Here, Something's Off6 lessons
Trust your instincts, see the whole process, and start your paper trail with a written evaluation request.
- You are not a bad parent, and your instincts matterMy Child at a Glance
- The special education timelineThe Special Education Timeline · My Timeline Tracker
- Signs your child may need more supportWhat I'm Noticing
- Start your parent notebookParent Notebook Setup · Communication Log
- Write down concerns the school can't ignoreConcerns Log · Impact Statement
- Write and send your evaluation request letterEvaluation Request Letter · Send-It Checklist
Module 2Decode It5 lessons
The language of special education in plain English: acronyms, evaluation reports, and test scores.
- Why schools speak in acronyms, and why you can ask them to stopThe Polite Stop Card · Meeting Word Log
- The acronym decoderAcronym Decoder (2 pages) · What They Say, What to Ask
- Read an evaluation report without panicEvaluation Report Roadmap · Highlight Key and Report Checks
- Test scores in plain EnglishScore Decoder · My Child's Scores
- Questions to ask about any reportReport Review Questions · Early Report Request Email
Module 3Eligibility5 lessons
IEP or 504, how an evaluation works, your rights, and what to do when you disagree.
- IEP vs. 504IEP vs. 504 Side by Side · Which Path Fits My Child
- How the evaluation works, and what to check before you sign consentEvaluation Planner · Before You Sign Consent
- Your rights during evaluation, including the independent evaluationMy Rights Cheat Sheet · IEE Request Letter
- The eligibility meetingEligibility Meeting Prep Sheet · Meeting Notes
- Your next steps if the answer is noNext Steps Map · Disagreement Letter
Module 4Read the IEP, Page by Page5 lessons
Every section of the IEP explained, with practice spotting vague goals and writing your own input.
- The anatomy of an IEPIEP Page by Page Map · My IEP Review Checklist
- Present levels, the foundation of everythingPresent Levels Check · Vague to Specific
- Goals that actually measure progressGoal Check · Rewrite Practice · Goal Tracker
- Services, accommodations, and modificationsServices Grid · Accommodations vs. Modifications Sorter
- Write your parent input statementParent Input Statement · Sample and Tips
Module 5Walk In Confident7 lessons
The meeting itself: preparation, who is at the table, what to say, staying calm, and handling no.
- Prepare with a seven day checklist7 Day Countdown · Top 3 Priorities and Pack List
- Who is at the table and what each person doesRole Cheat Sheet · Table Map
- You are the most informed person in the roomMy Expertise Page · My Opening Statement
- What to say when something doesn't sound rightWhat to Say Pocket Card · The Parking Lot
- Stay calm and firm without being confrontationalCalm and Firm Toolkit · Instead of This, Say That · My Meeting Notes
- Handle "no," "we don't do that," and "we'll see"Response Playbook · After the No Follow-Up Email
- Before you signBefore You Sign Checklist · After the Meeting Debrief
Module 6The Living Document5 lessons
After the meeting: follow up, track progress, read reports, escalate when needed, and plan ahead.
- After the meeting, your follow-up emailFollow-Up Email · My First 30 Days Checklist
- Track progress at home and at schoolHome Progress Log · Goal Progress Map · Service Delivery Log
- Read progress reportsProgress Report Reader · Pace Check
- When the plan is not working, the escalation ladderIs It Working? · The Escalation Ladder · Request an IEP Meeting Letter
- Annual reviews, re-evaluations, and planning aheadAnnual Review Prep Timeline · Year in Review · Looking Ahead Calendar
Words you can actually use
The hardest part of the meeting is not knowing what to say. So I wrote it for you.
Inside the course you get word-for-word language for the moments that catch parents off guard. A few of my favorites:
When you don't understand"Can we pause for a second? Can you explain that in plain English?"
When there is no data"What information was that based on? Can I see it?"
When a goal can't be measured"How will we measure that, and how often will I see the data?"
When something was said out loud"Can we make sure that is written in the IEP?"
When you're not sure"I need to think about that. Can I get back to you by Friday?"
When you're being rushed"I want to make sure I understand before we move on. Can we take a few more minutes?"
Plus exact wording for evaluation requests, follow-up emails, and what to say when the answer is no.
Your IEP binder
Every lesson ends with a tool you can use that day.
Each lesson comes with a printable, branded worksheet that appears on screen while I teach. Pause, fill it out, and slide it into your three-ring binder. By the end you'll have a complete, organized record of your child's journey, and that binder becomes your superpower in the room.
- The Special Education Timeline and tracker
- The Acronym Decoder and Score Decoder
- Evaluation Request and Independent Evaluation Request letters
- The IEP Page by Page Map and review checklist
- The Vague to Specific goal rewrite practice
- The What to Say Pocket Card
- The Response Playbook for when the school says no
- The Escalation Ladder for when the plan isn't working
By the end of this course
You will be able to:
- Explain the special education process and timeline to someone else
- Put your concerns in writing, in a way schools take seriously
- Read an evaluation report and know what it's saying
- Understand your rights and where to find your state's rules
- Review an IEP and spot vague goals and missing pieces
- Walk into a meeting prepared, calm, and clear
- Respond when you hear "no," without losing your cool
- Track your child's progress and know when to ask for a change
This course is for you if:
- You suspect your child needs support and don't know where to start
- Your child already has an IEP or 504 and you want to understand it better
- You want to be a calm, confident, informed partner, not a bystander and not an adversary
- You'd rather learn it once and be ready than scramble before every meeting
It's probably not for you if:
- You're looking for legal representation. I'm a teacher, not an attorney.
- You want to take on the school at every turn. My approach is friendly but firm.
Enroll today
Walk into your next meeting with a plan.
Instant access to everything below. Learn at your own pace and keep it for good.
The Confident IEP Parent
Founding member price
$197
or 3 payments of $69
- 6 modules and 33 short video lessons
- Word-for-word scripts for the hardest moments
- 34 printable worksheet PDFs (75 pages) for your binder
- Lifetime access, including updates
- Free bonus: the Parent Communication Script System, copy-and-paste emails and phrases for before, during and after your meeting
Because this is a digital course with instant access, all sales are final. Have a question first? Email me and I'll help you decide.
Questions
Before you enroll
My child doesn't have an IEP yet. Is this for me?
Yes. Module 1 starts at "something's off" and walks you through writing your request for an evaluation.
My child already has an IEP. Will this help?
Yes. Modules 4, 5, and 6 are built for parents who have a plan and want it to work.
Is this legal advice?
No. I'm a special education teacher, not an attorney. The course is general education about the federal special education law (IDEA). State and district rules vary, and I show you how to check yours.
Will this work for my state?
The federal framework applies in every state. Timelines and some procedures vary, and the course shows you how to find your state's rules.
Does it work outside the US?
The course is built around US law. The principles help anywhere, but rights and processes differ by country.
How long does it take?
The lessons are short. Most parents work through a module in a week, but you can go at your own pace. If a meeting is coming up soon, finish Module 1, Lesson 2, then jump to Module 5.
What if I don't have time?
Each lesson is bite-sized, and the worksheets are designed to take minutes, not hours.
Do I need to print everything?
No. Print what you need. I recommend a three-ring binder with dividers, and I show you how to set it up right at the start.
What if I freeze up in meetings?
You're not alone. That's why I give you the exact words to say, so you're never starting from nothing.
What if I'm angry at the school?
That's okay, and I understand. This course helps you turn that into calm, clear, effective action.
You know your child better than anyone in that room. What you need isn't more worry. It's a plan. Your child is going to be okay, and you can be the most important person at the table.
Yes, give me the road mapNot ready? Grab the free IEP Meeting Pocket Guide: eight things to say when something doesn't sound right, plus an acronym decoder.