Helping Adoptive Families Navigate School Support

Aug 6 / Kerry Tobar
Starting a new school—or trying to understand the support available within a current school—can feel overwhelming. Enrollment requirements, evaluations, 504 Plans, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), language services, and unfamiliar terminology can leave families wondering where to begin.

To help, AdoptED and Gladney Family Support created the School Navigation Video Series, a free collection of six short videos designed specifically for adoptive families.

The series offers clear, practical information that parents can use as they enroll their children, communicate with school personnel, and advocate for appropriate support.

What the series covers

The School Navigation Video Series includes:

  1. Enrolling Your Child
    Learn what to expect during enrollment and how to prepare for the process.
  2. 504 Plan vs. IEP
    Understand the purpose of each plan and some of the important differences between them.
  3. How the Evaluation Process Works
    Explore how families can request an evaluation and what may happen during the evaluation process.
  4. A Trauma-Informed Lens for Children from Foster Care
    Consider how trauma and previous experiences may affect a child’s learning, behavior, relationships, and sense of safety at school.
  5. English Learner Support for International Placements
    Learn about school-based language support that may be available to children joining their families through international adoption.
  6. Advocacy Tips for Parents
    Find practical ways to prepare for meetings, ask questions, communicate concerns, and work collaboratively with the school team.

A resource to keep and share

Families do not have to learn everything at once. You can watch the videos that apply to your current situation and return to the series when new questions arise.

A companion School Navigation Checklist is also available to help you organize important information, prepare for school conversations, and identify possible next steps. The checklist includes a QR code linking directly to the video series, making it easy to save or share the resource.

Professionals who work with adoptive families are also encouraged to bookmark and share the series. Connecting families with practical information at the right time can help them feel more prepared and confident as they advocate for their children.

The School Navigation Video Series is available free of charge through Gladney University.

Watch the School Navigation Video Series

Every child’s educational needs and circumstances are different, but families do not have to navigate the school system alone. As questions arise, the Gladney Family Support team is here to help connect families with information and support.


Gladney Family Support
(817) 857-8631
familysupportservices@gladney.org