Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2026
Degree Type
Restricted Access Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
School of Education
First Advisor
Dr. Leah Marks
Abstract
This capstone addresses the barriers culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families face when participating in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process within a large urban school district. Despite existing supports such as translation services and family outreach, many families continue to experience linguistic, cultural, and procedural obstacles that limit their meaningful involvement in special education decision-making. Grounded in social justice, educational equity, and federal legal mandates under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this project identifies systemic challenges that contribute to these disparities. Through an examination of district practices, current research, and implementation science, this capstone proposes the Family-Led IEP Partner Circle: a culturally responsive, strength-based model designed to increase family confidence, preparation, and collaboration within the IEP process. Using a phased implementation framework, this model aims to strengthen family-school partnerships, deepen family engagement, and promote more equitable special education outcomes for CLD students and their families.
Recommended Citation
Guzman, V.
(2026).
Partnering with Purpose: A Family-Led Approach to Navigating the IEP Process for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families.
Retrieved from: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_soecap/56
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2026 by Verónica Guzmán. All rights reserved.
No part of this capstone may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in academic review or scholarly citation.
