Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

10/13/2026

Welcome to OCECD’s Digital Postcard on Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)—a practical guide designed to help families understand their child’s right to receive a meaningful, individualized public education at no cost.

This edition explains what FAPE means under IDEA, including the importance of specialized instruction, related services, equal access, fair evaluations, and education in the least restrictive environment. It also explores parent rights, including informed consent, access to educational records, prior written notice, independent educational evaluations, procedural safeguards, and dispute-resolution options.

You’ll also learn how FAPE connects with Ohio’s Integrated Multitiered Systems of Support (I-MTSS), as well as the differences between an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a Section 504 Plan. Whether you are preparing for an evaluation, participating in an IEP meeting, or seeking support when disagreements arise, this postcard provides helpful information to advocate for your child’s educational needs and rights.

OCECD Digital Postcard

10/13/2026

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities has released Issue Six of our My Adventures in Youth Empowerment comic series!

In “Turning 18: My Life, My Choice,” readers follow Nia as she learns what changes when she becomes an adult. The story starts before her 18th birthday, when her school tells her about the education rights that will generally transfer to her. Then Nia takes the lead in her IEP meeting, shares her goals, and learns why it matters to read notices and ask questions before making decisions or signing forms.

Nia also discovers that making her own choices doesn’t mean doing everything alone. With supported decision-making, she can turn to people she trusts for help while keeping her voice at the center of decisions about school, health, and her future.

My Adventures in Youth Empowerment

10/12/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/the-quest-for-a-tangram-dragon-shapes-story-for-kids-stem-read-aloud/

In this delightful KidTime StoryTime collaboration with Family Math Kids and PBS SoCal, viewers are introduced to the whimsical world of "Dozens of Dachshunds," a counting book that brings kids on a playful journey counting to 12 with adorable dachshund characters. The story emphasizes fun facts abo...

10/12/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/watch-playing-with-measurement-while-organizing-shoes/

Organizing shoes can be a fun way for kids to get their foot in the door when it comes to understanding measurement. Stack up shoe boxes to compare height, line up shoes in order from biggest to smallest and use non-standard units of measurement to measure objects, such as shoes or hands. Learn More

10/12/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/ohios-family-roadmap-for-english-learners/

Ohio’s Family Roadmap helps families understand and navigate their child’s education, from choosing and enrolling in a school to preparing for graduation. It covers education rights, English language support, communicating with schools through interpreters, and ways families can stay involved. T...

09/23/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/mi-mejor-amiga-my-best-friend-spanish/
Mi Mejor Amiga – My Best Friend Spanish – A little girl plays with her reflection and considers it as her friend. A story about imagination this book is great for boosting your young readers imagination and creativity. This is a level 1 book from Pratham’s Storyweaver licensed under creative commons.

Mi Mejor Amiga – My Best Friend Spanish – A little girl plays with her reflection and considers it as her friend. A story about imagination this book is great for boosting your young readers imagination and creativity. This is a level 1 book from Pratham’s Storyweaver licensed under creative c...

09/23/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/helping-kids-manage-their-emotions-the-uncanny-chronicles-4-5/
Our original Kayla comic book is back with a new chapter! In this issue, Kayla faces challenges at school and learns how to manage her emotions with support from the adults in her life. Perfect for kids ages 7–10+, this story highlights the importance of emotional regulation, support systems, and persistence when things feel hard.

Our original Kayla comic book is back with a new chapter! In this issue, Kayla faces challenges at school and learns how to manage her emotions with support from the adults in her life. Perfect for kids ages 7–10+, this story highlights the importance of emotional regulation, support systems, and ...

09/23/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/cooking-activity-strawberry-smoothie-bowl/
In this recipe we see a creamy smoothie bowl that blends strawberries with yogurt. Join “Cooking Counts” chefs Patty Rodriguez and Oliver as they explore early math concepts like discovering shapes, counting ingredients and using spatial vocabulary

In this recipe we see a creamy smoothie bowl that blends strawberries with yogurt. Join "Cooking Counts" chefs Patty Rodriguez and Oliver as they explore early math concepts like discovering shapes, counting ingredients and using spatial vocabulary.

09/15/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/house-hunt-game/

Count things you find around the house.

Learning Goals:

Count out objects upon request.
Understand each object in a group is counted once (also called one-to-one correspondence).

09/15/2026

https://readingtipsforfamilies.com/measure-and-toss-game/

Pretend to throw silly objects and measure how far they go.

Learning Goal:

Use nonstandard units to measure and compare length.

Pretend to throw silly objects and measure how far they go. Learning Goal: Use nonstandard units to measure and compare length. Learn more here