3Rs of Advocacy
The relationships we develop and nurture make all the difference for our children! These tips apply to relationships with school staff, medical personnel, and/or other service providers.
Top Ten Outcomes for Fourth Grade Year
Before the beginning of each school year it is important to meet with your child’s new teachers and share your priorities for the coming year. Here is a sample that one parent wrote, Top Ten Outcomes for Emily’s Fourth Grade Year. Notice how the parent kept this to only one page – critical, you want to make it short and sweet so teachers aren’t overwhelmed. But also note how the parent has referred to the pages of her daughter’s IEP so the staff can check the IEP for more information.
Click here to see this sample.
One-Liners
Often when families attend Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings they feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to respond to what they hear. It can be helpful to have some statements or questions to ask that will apply to multiple situations.
Click here to learn some one-liners.
Records Request: Sample Letter
Schools are required by federal and state laws to maintain certain education records and to make these records available to parents upon request. It is often helpful to have an advocate go with you to review, explain the records and suggest which ones you want to have copies of. A sample letter is given with highlighted parts that parents can fill in with their child’s name and other information.
Click here to use the sample letter to request records.
U.S. Department of Education Memo Regarding Response to Intervention
Unfortunately, when many families request a special education evaluation they are told to wait while the school tries Response to Intervention. This memo clarifies how RTI can not be used to delay evaluations.
2010 – 2011 Updates on ADA and Section 504
Effects of the 2008 amendments to the ADA and the changes how the ADA and Section 504 will be applied to school districts are described in this in depth document.
Websites
These are terrific resources for parents and educators.