As we move toward 2026, more parents are realizing something important:
IEP meetings are not just about services — they are about direction. Too often, parents walk into IEP meetings reacting to what the school presents instead of confidently leading the conversation. Decisions are made year after year without a clear long-term vision, and parents leave meetings feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the plan created for their child. That’s where Parent Vision 2026 begins.
What Is Parent Vision 2026?
Parent Vision 2026 is about helping parents step into their role as the vision holders for their child’s life — not just their education. Before we talk about goals, services, or placements, parents must first be able to answer questions like:
• Who is my child beyond labels and services?
• What kind of life do I envision for them?
• What does success look like for my child?
• Where do I see my child heading long-term?
When parents don’t have clarity on these questions, IEP planning becomes reactive. When they do, everything changes.
The Importance of a Parent Mission and Vision
A parent vision defines the long-term direction for your child’s life. A parent mission defines how you, as the parent, will support that direction today. Together, they become the foundation for meaningful IEP participation. Instead of walking into meetings focused only on:
• Compliance
• Minutes
• Services
• Accommodations
Parents begin to focus on:
• Alignment
• Growth
• Long-term outcomes
• Intentional planning
Why Vision Comes Before the IEP
Schools are required to create IEPs — but they are not responsible for defining your child’s life vision. That responsibility belongs to the family. When parents can clearly articulate their child’s vision and mission:
• IEP goals become more purposeful
• services are easier to evaluate
• misalignment is easier to identify
• conversations become calmer and more productive
Vision gives parents a reference point:
“Does this IEP move us closer to where we’re trying to go?”
From Vision to Alignment:
Tracking Progress Over Time Parent Vision 2026 is not about a one-time conversation. It’s about continuity. Over time, parents should be able to:
• Review their vision annually
• Check alignment between home goals and school goals
• Track whether the IEP is supporting long-term outcomes
• Begin preparing to transfer ownership to their child as they approach adulthood
This is especially important as students near:
• Transition planning
• Age of majority
• Diploma or certificate pathways
• Postsecondary and independent living decisions
Introducing the Parent Mission & Vision Training
To support parents through this process, I created the Parent Mission & Vision Training — a signature training designed to help parents clearly define, document, and apply their vision within the IEP process. In this training, parents will:
• Clarify their child’s long-term vision
• Define a meaningful parent mission
• Identify strengths, needs, and supports through a new lens
• Learn how to bring clarity into IEP conversations
• Create an Individualized Parent Plan (IPP) they can use throughout the year
Participants also receive:
• A digital IPP workbook
• Access to the IPP Analyzer
• Guidance on using their vision during IEP meetings
• Tools to track alignment over time
This training is designed for parents at any stage — whether your child is newly eligible for special education or approaching transition and adulthood.
Why This Matters Going Into 2026
As we look ahead, families need more than information — they need direction. Parent Vision 2026 is about helping parents:
• move from confusion to clarity
• stop reacting and start leading
• prepare not just for the next IEP, but for the future
When parents are clear, children benefit. When vision leads, planning follows. Grab the Parent Mission & Vision Training + Workbook To support parents through this process, I created the Parent Mission & Vision Training — a signature, on-demand experience designed to help parents clearly define, document, and apply their vision within the IEP process.
This training is available as a recorded session, so parents can move through it at their own pace and revisit it whenever they need clarity or direction. When you grab the training, you’ll receive:
- Access to the Parent Mission & Vision Training (Replay)
- The Individualized Parent Plan (IPP) Workbook
- Guidance on defining your child’s vision and parent mission
- Tools to track alignment between home goals and school goals
- A framework you can use before, during, and after IEP meetings
This training is designed to help parents move from reacting to school decisions to confidently leading with clarity and purpose.
