Educational Advocacy

What does an educational advocate do? Well, he or she provides an extra pair of eyes and ears at IEP meetings, for one thing. An advocate who is not emotionally involved can concentrate on what is being said, can bring up an issue or concern discussed with the parent but which has not come up in the meeting and can explain and clarify the special education and IEP process for parents. "What you don't know can't hurt you" does not apply when attending a school meeting.

It's no secret that parents of children with any special need have some additional demands, tasks, whatever we would like to call them. There are more meetings, educational and medical; there are more resources to discover; there is more time to be spent on the child, whether it involves medical care, behavior issues or academic support. If the parent is lucky, there will be someone living nearby who has faced these challenges and who can provide a shortcut in some of these areas. But what is the probability that there will be a support like this at the backyard fence or even in the neighborhood?

I attended a meeting recently where some parents talked about the fact that it took them a full year of school meetings before they started to feel comfortable enough to ask questions and raise issues. And when one is not clear on the process and unaware of one's position and rights, one tends to be less trusting of what is happening. Sadly, some parents have no idea that there are people who might be there to support them, to serve as an advocate.

New Hampshire has a wonderful educational advocacy training organization, the Parent Information Center, which provides advocacy training at no cost to parents and others who are willing to volunteer as advocates. This nearly 50 hour training covers educational rights, the special education process, the writing of the IEP (Individual Education Plan), resources, parent/professional communication and other topics. At the end of the training, a person is well-prepared to attend school meetings on behalf of the children who will be receiving services.

An advocate is not an adversary. An advocate should be a welcome addition to the IEP team that is working together to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to the student. Parents are team members and all team members are equal. If a decision is made, and a parent does not really agree with that decision but does not feel that he or she can disagree, then one team member will leave the meeting feeling unheard, invalidated and perhaps resentful. An advocate can be of help as the meeting proceeds, by looking at the parent and asking what the parent thinks of a school's proposal. This sounds so basic and unnecessary, but often the question would otherwise go unasked. Or a parent, the newcomer to the process, will feel uneasy about contributing his or her opinion.

So, if you are a parent, consider investing the time in becoming an advocate for your child and perhaps to help others in your school or district. If you are a professional, consider the training so that you will be more informed as you attend meetings with parents.

Special Needs Support Center Of The Upper Valley provides volunteer educational advocacy to its members.

For more information contact Philip Eller at P2PNH@valley.net.