Ensuring Transparency: The Journey From General Education to Special Education
Learn the Special Education Process | Online Course for Parents
Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or afraid your child is falling behind? You're not alone - and you don't have to figure it all out on your own.
What if you had a step-by-step guide - available 24/7 - that helped you confidently navigate every phase of the special education journey?
Ensuring Transparency: The Journey From General Education to Special Education is your complete, on-demand special education support system.
Get clear, compassionate guidance on IEPs, evaluations, and more. This 9-part course helps parents in California understand and advocate with confidence. Inside, you'll get easy-to-follow videos, real-world advice, and powerful insights from Monica Trost - License Educational Psychologist with years of experience working as a School Psychologist in public education and who has personal experience navigating the special education world as a mother of an autistic child.
Invest in clarity. Invest in confidence. Invest in your child’s future.
Enroll now in the Ensuring Transparency Course and start watching instantly.
Our Courses
Worried your child may not be hitting milestones in thinking, movement, or speech? You're not alone—and you're not overreacting. In this course, you'll learn what developmental milestones to watch for, when to be concerned, and who to reach out to for guidance. You’ll also receive a thoughtfully designed checklist to help you track what you’re observing, so you can feel confident and prepared when seeking support.
I'm not a doctor! Who diagnoses and who evaluates to see if my child has a disability?
Understanding the difference between medical, community, and educational evaluations can be confusing—and overwhelming. This course breaks it all down so you know exactly who to turn to, what kind of evaluations exist, and how to get the ball rolling. You’ll also receive email templates and a step-by-step checklist so you can confidently navigate the referral process without feeling lost or alone.
If your child is struggling, you don’t have to wait for a full special education evaluation to get support. This course walks you through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), which provides help for students with and without disabilities. You'll learn how schools aim to support all learners—and how you can request and advocate for these interventions right now. Gain peace of mind knowing there are options, even before an IEP comes into play.
How do I request Special Education Services and what to expect?
Requesting special education services can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. This course equips you with easy-to-use templates, sample language, and a full explanation of the assessment process—so you’ll know exactly what’s coming and how to prepare. With visual guides and printable handouts, you’ll be able to approach the process with clarity and confidence.
What does the assessment report say?
Receiving a long, technical report about your child can feel like trying to read a foreign language. This course breaks it down simply, helping you understand the key components of a comprehensive evaluation. You’ll get practical tools like an “Assessment-at-a-Glance” worksheet and an “IEP-at-a-Glance” guide, along with a plain-language breakdown of your Procedural Safeguards—so you always know your rights and your child’s.
Is my child eligible for services?
Understanding special education eligibility can be a tough road to navigate. This course explains the 13 eligibility categories recognized in California, what criteria need to be met, and what comes next after a determination is made. Plus, you’ll learn what to do if you disagree with the school’s decision—so you’re always equipped to advocate for your child’s best interests.
What are goals on an IEP?
IEP goals are the foundation of your child’s services and supports. In this course, you’ll learn what makes a strong IEP goal, how to collaborate with your child’s team in creating them, and how progress is monitored over time. Understanding IEP goals helps ensure your child gets the services they truly need—and gives you a powerful voice at the table. You’ll also explore the different types of services that may be available based on those goals.
Too many acronyms! Definitions and Descriptions.
If it feels like your child’s education team is speaking another language, you’re not imagining it. This course demystifies all the commonly used acronyms in special education—so you can follow the conversation, ask the right questions, and feel confident advocating for your child. Clarity starts with language, and this course gives you the vocabulary you need to take control of the process.
What should I do after the IEP meeting?
An IEP meeting isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of your child’s educational journey. This course walks you through what to expect next and what steps you can take to continue supporting your child at home and in collaboration with the school team. You'll gain tools like a Vision Planning worksheet, IEP binder checklist, and ready-to-send email templates to stay organized and proactive—so nothing falls through the cracks.
The Complete Journey: All in One Place
Get the Full Course Bundle and Save Big
Gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to advocate for your child, all in one comprehensive package. When you purchase the full course bundle, you'll save $70 - nearly 26% off the total price! It's the most affordable and effective way to get clarity on the IEP process, understand your child's needs, and take empowered next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions and Thoughts
Because we go beyond information - we help you take action: with trusted, expert-backed information, you will be able to effectively balance advocating for your child's rights while maintaining a positive relationship with your child's school.
This is a clear, chronological roadmap from step one - no jargon, no confusion.
Each course has scripts, templates, and/or checklists that show you exactly what to say and do.
Learn in short, digestible lessons at your own pace, anytime - no pressure, no appointments.
Expert-based strategies are taught in the courses to help you advocate with confidence and clarity - and get the services your child needs.
At Prepared Parent Advocate, I want parents to feel assured that they are not alone in this process. If you need additional support, unique to you and your child's situation, please reach out to determine how Parent Advocacy Services can be the next step.
The courses are for all parents needing clarity as they navigate through the school system. Federal and California state laws may be referenced. If a parent outside the state of California is interested in these courses, please be aware that each state may have different laws and processes.