Parent Advocacy

Advocating for your child can seem like an impossible task. From the way an IEP or 504 is worded all the way to those large booklets you get each year that hold all your parental rights - the system is not set up for parents to truly understand what is going on. Legal jargon dominates the discussion and makes it impossible for the average parent to be part of the process.

Assume that the Special Education teacher means well

Often their hands are tied and they're unable to give your child what they think would help the most due to budget or lack of resources

Ask for things to be reworded

A good IEP team will be able to present the information in a way that you can understand. You should not settle for being talked over or left out of the conversation.

Make sure you see the IEP ahead of time

The most important thing to look at here is your child's goals, accommodations, and service minutes. This will tell you what the school is focusing on, how they are helping your child, and how long your child is actually recieving services from a Special Education teacher or a specialist, such as a Speech Therapist. If something doesn't seem right it's a good idea to bring it to the case managers attention prior to the meeting. Knowing what you want to discuss helps everyone keep the meetings to a reasonable time.

What if I still don't understand or the team isn't listening to me?

Do not hesitate to get an advocate. This can be pricey, but they will be able to help you understand the law. There are also resources to assist with paying for an advocate depending on the state.

What if my child's IEP isn't being followed?

You have a few options. You can request mediation from the school district. This is more cost effective than an advocate. You can file a complaint with your state's Department of Education or Office of Civil Rights. The last option available to you is filing a due process complaint. This would go to court, much like any other trial.

Advocating for Your Child

What can I do?