Special Education Consultant/Advocate,
Dr. Harper supports parents of students receiving special education services
Meet Dr. Debra Harper
Dr. Harper has over 20 years of experience in teaching special and general education. She has also served as special education department chair and as central administration special education coordinator for local Texas school districts. She earned her doctorate in education and the focus of her dissertation was teacher obstacles to effective inclusion. Dr. Harper is the single parent of a fifteen-year-old daughter with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Intellectual Disability. These life experiences have provided her with an intimate understanding of parents' dilemmas as well as the point of view of educators and administrators. Dr. Harper's passion is helping parents achieve the best possible quality of education and future for their children. It is the parent's right to have an active role in their child's education. To reach the best educational plan for children, Dr. Harper uses a collaborative approach; she is focused on getting the best education for your child while ensuring she is not creating a contentious relationship between parents and educators. She eases anxiety for parents as she negotiates with the ARD Committee on your behalf. This collaborative approach has proven itself to be very effective. Dr. Harper is dedicated to student success as she creates an atmosphere of a partnership between parents and the school to provide for the child's needs.
What We Offer
Consultation
Direct Student Services
Consultation
- Individualized consultation services to meet the needs of each client.
- One-on-one personalized parent education
- Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) review & proposed revisions
- Records analysis
- Transition planning
Advocacy
Direct Student Services
Consultation
- Navigating the ARD process
- Adopting collaborative & deliberative roles and responsibilities
- Analyzing student's Independent Educational Plan (IEP), evaluations, & educational records
- Attending ARD meetings, staffings, mediation & conferences with school and district personnel.
- Navigating Due Process
Direct Student Services
Direct Student Services
Direct Student Services
- Student interviews
- In-school observations
- Transition Person-Centered-Planning (PCP) Process to reveal student strengths/goals and support them in their success
Testimonials
"I can finally breathe knowing my son is getting what he needs. Dr. Harper was amazing in how she worked with the ARD committee and got my son all the services he needed!"
S.G.
"I finally understand the whole IEP. I feel pretty sure I can do this independently from now on. Dr. Harper is amazing. She worked with me and the ARD team, and got what exactly what my daughter needed,"
B.M.
"Thank you so much Dr. Harper! Until you were involved - I thought my son's special education services were hopeless. I felt like the school didn't care. I learned so much from you about how to work with them." S.P.
“Working with you has greatly added to the quality of my daughter’s education, and to lowering my stress levels during the last year. After your recommendations for my daughter’s new IEP reading goals and the coaching you gave me on how to best partner with my daughter’s teacher and the ARD committee, I was able to work through the ARD, and things went well. I had confidence, and was happy with the outcome of the ARD for the first time in several years." S.E.
"You were so down to earth and easy to talk to with your outgoing personality and you immediately made us feel as if we were old friends. I am happy to know we will be able to continue using your services via phone, email, and probably another few meetings. Consultant - truly describes what you do in the true sense of the term. You were well worth every single mile we drove from Houston, and every dime we paid for your service. You are welcome to share my letter or have future clients contact me. May God richly bless you and your business for the work you do and the hope you offer. Sincerely, Susan”
S.J.
"Thank you Dr. Harper!!!!!! You have made a huge source of stress turn into a wonderful IEP for my son. I love it that you are so good in collaborating with the school staff. I feel like we have established a new GOOD relationship. You are easy to talk to and you have an honesty about you that makes me feel so comfortable. Thank you so much for all you have done!!!!!"
J.L.
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