HLP 2 - Organize & facilitate effective meetings with professionals & families

HLP 2 is a high leverage practice in Special education that signals the important skills of a teacher to effectively lead and structure meetings with parents and guardians talk about a student's educational needs, plans and their progress, This high leverage practice ensures open communication along with smart decision making opportunities. When families are actively involved in their child's education, it leads to better academic and behavioral progress.

Important elements of HLP 2:

• Active listening: It is important to be mindful of any family concerns and to pay very close attention to what families may need help with. It is important to stay engaged by using both verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Collaborating & Goal setting: Setting measurable goals for students by working closely with friends and family and aligning with family priority is extremely important. 
• Summarizing & Highlighting key points: Review important decision's and figure out what are the next steps by the end of the meeting to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
• Set a clear agenda: Handing out a meeting guideline before any meeting would be beneficial to parents & families so that topics, timeframes and expected results can be outlines and though of before a meeting. 
• Sharing information clearly: Information that may be difficult to understand may be explained in more understandable ways by using alternative delivery methods like visuals when needed.
• Encouraging family participation: Throughout meetings, there should be opportunities for families to have an input on an topic, they should feel comfortable asking questions, they can share any perspectives they may have, and they should be able to be a part of any discission making for a student. 

High Leverage Practice 2 helps to improve effective communication and effective communication leads into building trust and positive relationships between teachers and families.