Ryan* was struggling academically. His teachers at Mancelona Elementary School suspected that he needed additional support to succeed. So the school reached out to Ryan’s family to authorize a Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED), a process that formally determines the educational services he needed to flourish. But dad worked long hours, and every attempt to make contact was unsuccessful.
Ms. Amanda, the school’s CIS Coordinator, was a person who always knew what to say–and how to help. So teachers and administrators enlisted her support in reaching Ryan’s dad. When Ms. Amanda reached dad, she explained what Ryan needed in a clear and compassionate way, making the road ahead easily understood.
Sometimes, educational jargon can sound overwhelming to a parent navigating the process for the first time. Understanding the route from a REED to an IEP can be stressful for a parent who is trying to balance caregiving, work, and daily life. When CIS Coordinators like Ms. Amanda point the compass in the right direction, they put long-term achievement on the right path.
Over the next few weeks, Ms. Amanda persistently followed up with Ryan’s dad, doing everything she could to get Ryan the help he needed. One day, Ryan arrived at school with the signed paperwork in his backpack, and Ms. Amanda grinned from ear to ear.
“I felt like I won the lottery the moment I received that signature from dad!” Ms. Amanda shared.
For Ms. Amanda, there’s no greater reward than helping kids access the tools they need to succeed. We’re grateful that she’s “all in for kids” at Mancelona Elementary School!
*Name changed to protect student identity
