Post #7B: Danielle Leigh to Kristin Morgione

I chose this topic because recently while at a parent meeting I had a parent inquire about being a child advocate and I did not have the information to give her to move forward.  This research paper was very informing and surprising that there are no guidelines for child advocates.  I believe schools should also offer a training session to all parents with students that are being placed in special education.

Critical Task Discussion Questions:

1. What roles do advocates have within the field of special education?  

According to Advocating for Your Child – Getting Started (2016) there are three main functions for a child with exceptional needs. The first function involves the trained professional to support, help, assist, and aid the family when making educational decisions for the child.  Next, the advocate speaks and voices concern on the behalf of the family or can even provide emotional support throughout the meetings.  Lastly, when situations occur, the advocate may defend and argue for the services that rightfully need to be provided for the student.

2. What training did this person receive or should be given to receive this title of an advocate?
Currently, there are no federal guidelines for someone to serve as an advocate.  There are three different training models (Special Education Advocacy Training, Volunteer Advocacy Project, and National Special Education Advocacy Institute) an advocate can receive to become better educated on the rights of students with disabilities.  Also, there is a website, Wrightslaw, that provides a variety of resources for parents and advocates.

3. How can parents become an advocate for their child in the school setting?

Federal programs such as the Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) and Protection and Advocacy Agencies (P&A) are designed to support the parents in the special education process. There are also, Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) and Parent to Parent (P2P) programs that offer trainings to help parents become advocates. 

4. How can professionals in the school system advocate for their student with exceptional needs?They should respect and acknowledge parents, engage in the meetings as they write together educational concerns, help parents understand the effectiveness of educational supports, and offer concrete suggestions for additional sources of information.  It was also noted teachers should form partnerships with families to increase the educational benefits for the student.

5. How can we, as educators, empower our students to become self-advocates?
Starting in middle school we need to start promoting self-advocacy to help students gather knowledge and receive resources.  There are two programs, Self-Advocacy Strategy and Self-Directed Individualized Education Program, to help educators promote self-advocacy skills for students.  When students are an active participant in their IEP they gain a sense of empowerment.