SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY

What is an Educational Advocate?

The world of special education is filled with acronyms, paperwork and a service delivery continuum that can be confusing to parents. Special Education Advocates are professionals that help parents navigate this often confusing and emotional process. Advocates are not attorneys but their knowledge of special education laws and procedures can help parents better understand their child’s individual rights. Their expertise and support can be vital to parents as they make important educational decisions for their children.

Why do you need and Educational Advocate?

Many feel it takes a village to raise a child. Parents that have a child experiencing difficulties in school need a support system. An educational advocate is that level of support many parents need. It can be overwhelming to walk into a meeting comprised of multiple school professionals who are sharing copious amounts of information. An advocate goes to these meetings with you as your ally, helping you understand the information being disseminated and offers advice and support as you work with the TEAM to make critical decisions about your child’s education.

Advocacy services

  • Review of student educational records

  • Attendance at parent/teacher conferences

  • Attendance at IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings

  • Attendance at Section 504 meetings

  • Attendance at FBA (Functional Behavior Analysis) and BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) meetings

  • Help with review of accommodations and modifications

  • Letter writing to your child’s teachers, administrators or school district

  • Research of additional resources available to your child’s unique learning needs

  • Facilitate parent workshops (SMART Goals, IEP 101, Difference between Accommodations and Modifications)