November 2026
“Give permission to others to acknowledge their weaknesses, or their challenges,
or the things they need help with, so it creates an entire ecosystem that says, ‘
it’s okay for us to not have all the answers.’”
– Jessica Foster
Welcome to November’s edition of the Buzz from the Hub! The holiday season is right around the corner, and life may be getting a little busier. Amid the hustle and bustle, we hope you can find a few quiet moments to slow down, explore the resources featured in this issue, and perhaps discover something new along the way.
In this month’s issue you’ll find the following resources:
- Featured Resource: Informed School Choice: Questions to Ask When Considering Non-Public School Options for Your Child with Disabilities
- Featured Parent Center: Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.
- Practice Guides for Families
- More Than a Score: Asking about Assessment When Choosing a School for Your Student with a Disability: A Resource for Parents and Families
- Helping Your Child: Guidance for Families
- Student-Led Transition IEP Toolkit
- 3 Tips To Help Your Child Grow Into A Self Advocate
Finally, don’t miss the upcoming virtual events in the Upcoming Events section.
Best wishes and happy reading,
The CPIR Team
Featured Resource!
Informed School Choice: Questions to Ask When Considering Non-Public School Options for Your Child with Disabilities
Some states offer programs that allow families to use public education funds to send their children to non-public schools, such as private schools or homeschool programs, often referred to as “school choice.” The “Questions About,” in this document by CADRE may be helpful for a parent of a child with a disability to explore in order to make informed decisions about the best option for their child when considering a non-public school placement.
Access the document here.
Featured Parent Center
Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) is the federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and the Health Information Center for the District of Columbia. AJE seeks to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth, particularly those who have special needs, receive access to appropriate education and health services.
Their passion is empowering families by equipping parents and students with disabilities with the tools they need to be their own advocates. Check them out here!
Shareable Resources
Early Childhood |
Practice Improvement Tools: Practice Guides for Families
These family-friendly practice guides from the ECTA Center explain how parents and caregivers can support the development and learning of young children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Available in English and Spanish, the guides include videos and examples to help families understand and apply the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices and partner with professionals to support their child’s growth.
Access the guides in English and Spanish here.
Education Policy |
More Than a Score: Asking about Assessment When Choosing a School for Your Student with a Disability: A Resource for Parents and Families
This brief by NCEO explains why it is important for families of students with disabilities to ask about assessment as they consider school choice options. It suggests questions you can ask about how your student’s learning will be measured and reported. It also provides the meanings of key assessment-related terms and links to more information.
Read the brief here.
Students |
Helping Your Child: Guidance for Families
Reading problems are common, but they can have different causes and warning signs. Sometimes a problem is simple and quick to solve while others may require extensive intervention. This article by Reading Rockets describes some common reading issues and ways to get help for your child.
Read the article here.
Young Adults |
Student-Led Transition IEP Toolkit
This toolkit by the RAISE provides educators, Parent Centers, and youth-serving organizations with ready-to-use videos and accessible worksheets designed to build student voice, self-advocacy, and leadership within the IEP and transition planning process.
Access the toolkit here.
Family Engagement |
3 Tips To Help Your Child Grow Into A Self Advocate
This article from the Federation for Children with Special Needs offers three tips to help children develop self-advocacy skills. These steps will help build confidence, independence, and the ability to speak up for their needs.
Read the article here.
Upcoming Events
Exploring Assistive Technology for Communication
Assistive technology for communication can help individuals express their wants and needs, participate in conversations, interact socially, and more. Join PACER Center for this beginner-friendly webinar and explore a sampling of symbol-based and text-based communication tools. It will demonstrate a range of low to high-tech devices and apps that are available in our Simon Technology Center.
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Register here.
Raising Resilient Learners in an AI World
AI is transforming how children learn—but what skills will help them thrive in a world where AI is everywhere? Join the Brookings Institution researchers Emily Morris and Rebecca Winthrop for an engaging webinar on raising resilient learners in an AI-driven world.
This webinar will explore how to strengthen essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, persistence, curiosity, social connection, active engagement, and human judgment. We’ll also discuss how parents can recognize when AI is supporting learning—and when it may be getting in the way.
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Register here.
the Hub Central Event Calendar
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