Return to Articles

11.01.2025

Communication is Key to Unlocking Student Success

By: Kate Pflughoeft, PhD; Nevada Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and Development, Preschool Development Grant Birth-5.   

Transitions are difficult for children and families, and can be particularly challenging if your child has complex medical or developmental needs.

To help make communication easier between families and their student's education team, the Nevada Department of Education has developed an easy-to-use tool, the Student Success Plan (SSP).

The SSP was designed to help families provide teachers with the critical information that they need to welcome all children into the classroom. The SSP is not a replacement for the IEP, but an informal complement that provides necessary information for the educational team in the lead up to the first day of school and beyond. 

The SSP gives you a place to share useful information regarding your child’s medical diagnosis to ensure that their educational team knows how the condition affects your child.

This is an opportunity for you to share the key information that you wish everyone knew regarding the medical condition that affects your little one. You can also share your child’s strengths, next steps, and accommodations.

For example, your child may be visually impaired due to their medical condition, but is great at visualizing descriptions, so silly stories at story time crack them up.

An accommodation might be that your child needs a number line or that they are more engaged in speech therapy if they have the therapist’s full attention.

There is also a section for educators to get to know your child more personally, with likes/dislikes, talents and goals, and a place for a photo so the teacher recognizes their new student and can greet them at that door.

Finally, there is space for cultural considerations that will help the education team communicate and understand your family’s needs.

The SSP is available in English and Spanish, and can be used as is or to provide inspiration to tailor your own design to fit your child’s needs.

 However you decide to communicate, the important thing is that you do, it will make school easier for your child, your family, and your new educator.

For more information on Learning Differences please see Learning Disabilities – Advocate to Set Your Child Up for Success in the June issue of the newsletter.