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Getting Started

This guide walks you through setting up Access to Education as your personal Missouri K-12 assistant. No coding required.

flowchart LR
    A[Choose Setup Method] --> B[Option A: Claude Code]
    A --> C[Option B: Claude Project]
    A --> D[Option C: Share with Team]
    B --> B1[Install Claude Code] --> B2[Clone Repo] --> B3[Run 'claude']
    C --> C1[Create Account] --> C2[New Project] --> C3[Paste SKILL.md] --> C4[Upload References]
    D --> D1[Set Up Project] --> D2[Share Link]
    B3 --> E[Ask Questions / Use Commands]
    C4 --> E
    D2 --> E
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Option A: Claude Code (fastest)

Claude Code is a command-line tool that reads this repository automatically.

Step 1: Install Claude Code

Visit claude.ai/code and follow the install instructions for your platform (Mac, Windows, or Linux).

Step 2: Clone the repository

Open your terminal and run:

git clone https://github.com/dougdevitre/access-to-education.git
cd access-to-education

Step 3: Start Claude Code

claude

That's it. Claude reads the CLAUDE.md file automatically and becomes your Missouri K-12 navigator. Start asking questions:

> What are the graduation requirements in Missouri?
> My child was suspended. What are our rights?
> /retire (I'm 54 with 27 years of service)
> Mi hijo necesita una evaluacion especial. Que hago?

Option B: Claude Project (no install needed)

A Claude Project lets you use this in your browser at claude.ai.

Step 1: Create a Claude account

Go to claude.ai and sign up or log in.

Step 2: Create a new Project

  1. Click Projects in the left sidebar
  2. Click Create Project
  3. Give it a name like "Access to Education"

Step 3: Set the custom instructions

  1. In your project, click Project Instructions
  2. Open the file SKILL.md from this repository (you can view it on GitHub)
  3. Copy the entire contents and paste it into the instructions box
  4. Click Save

Step 4: Upload reference files

  1. Click Project Knowledge then Add Content
  2. Upload these folders from the repository:
    • Everything in references/ (all subfolders)
    • Everything in templates/
    • Everything in scripts/
    • Everything in examples/
  3. You can download the files from GitHub by clicking the green Code button > Download ZIP

Step 5: Start chatting

Open a new conversation in your project and ask any Missouri education question. The system will detect your role and respond accordingly.

Option C: Share with your team

For your school or district

  1. Set up a Claude Project (Option B above)
  2. Click Share on the project
  3. Share the link with colleagues -- they'll get the same navigator with all the reference files

For a department or PLC

Each team can set up their own project. The skill adapts to whoever is asking:

  • Counselors get graduation audits, college planning checklists, crisis screening tools
  • Specialists get IEP compliance checks, evaluation timelines, 504 plan templates
  • Administrators get CSIP builders, compliance calendars, policy drafting tools
  • Teachers get lesson plan frameworks, PD growth plans, standards references
  • Parents get rights explanations, letter templates, decision tree walkthroughs

What you can do

Ask questions in plain language

No special syntax needed. Just ask like you'd ask a colleague:

  • "How many credits does my kid need to graduate?"
  • "A parent just requested a special ed evaluation. What's my timeline?"
  • "We're building our CSIP. Where do I start?"
  • "What are the MSHSAA eligibility requirements?"

Use slash commands for common workflows

Command What it does
/start Introduction -- tells you what the skill can do for your role
/rights Look up parent rights by topic
/letter evaluation-request Generate a letter requesting a special education evaluation
/graduation Walk through a graduation credit audit
/iep-check Review an IEP for compliance
/crisis active-threat Get immediate crisis response steps
/comply march See what compliance deadlines are due in March
/retire Calculate PSRS retirement eligibility
/translate Translate content to Spanish

See commands/COMMANDS.md for all 22 commands.

Generate documents

Ask the skill to create letters, plans, or forms:

  • "Write a letter to request my child's school records"
  • "Help me build our school safety plan"
  • "Draft an AI acceptable use policy for our district"
  • "Create a behavior intervention plan"

Ask in Spanish

The skill responds in Spanish when you write in Spanish. English legal terms are preserved in parentheses so you can use them with the school.

Tips

  • You don't need to say your role every time. The skill detects it from context. But if answers seem off, say something like "I'm a parent" or "I'm a special ed coordinator."
  • Follow-up questions work. The skill remembers context within a conversation. After asking about suspension, you can say "he has a 504 plan" and it will adjust.
  • Ask for documents. If you need a letter, plan, or form, ask for it -- the skill will generate one, not just describe what it should contain.
  • Check the source. The skill cites Missouri statutes (RSMo), IDEA sections, and DESE guidance. If something seems wrong, check the citation.
  • It's not a lawyer. The skill gives educational information, not legal advice. For legal strategy, consult an attorney.

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
Claude doesn't seem to know about Missouri education Make sure SKILL.md is loaded as custom instructions (Option B) or that you're in the repo directory (Option A)
Answers are too generic Try stating your role: "As a special ed coordinator, ..."
A fact seems wrong Check LAST_VERIFIED.md for when that data was last verified. File an issue on GitHub if it's outdated
Need a topic not covered File a "New Topic Request" issue on GitHub
Spanish responses are inconsistent Start your message in Spanish, or say "responde en espanol"