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Charles speaks for many parents who have questions about special education when he wrote to us and asked,
“All of this is new to us. A friend told us about your site – this is why I’m writing you. What information should I read to become a better advocate for my son, Daniel?”
Until now, parents have been barred from effective advocacy by lack of information and isolation. The Internet is changing the status quo.
This issue of the Special Ed Advocate is the first in a series that will provide a self-help study plan every advocate should have. You'll learn how to plan and prepare to be an effective advocate, and where to go to get the information you need.
Stay tuned for more issues about effective advocacy featuring the "Read a Book a Month" Plan from the Advocate's Bookstore and 10 Tips for Good Advocates.
Please don't hesitate to forward this issue to other families, friends, and colleagues.
Sign up free today! l Read previous issues |
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Begin a Program of Advocacy Self-Study for One Year |
The 7 "Ps" hold true for parents who want to ensure that their child gets effective, appropriate special education services.
"Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance"
Plan and prepare to be an effective advocate.
- learn new skills, strategies, techniques
- learn about your child's disability
- learn what works - effective educational practices
- learn about legal rights & responsibilities
- learn how to measure your child's educational progress
- learn about tests and measurements
- learn to negotiate and persuade
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Plan and Prepare: Your Advocacy Game Plan |
As a parent, you negotiate with the school for services. To be a successful negotiator, you must understand the system and how it works.
Many parents don’t realize that school systems are bureaucracies. Parents often don’t know how important decisions are made - or by whom.
Improve Your Advocacy Skills
If you are a “new parent” or you want to improve your advocacy skills, this Wrightslaw Advocacy Game Plan will help.
Charles wondered what information to read so he could advocate effectively for his son, Daniel. The answer is in this article.
You'll find a game plan, links to articles and information, and a listing of resources.
Begin at step one:
- Gather Information & Hone Advocacy Skills
- Learn About Your Rights & Responsibilities
- Get a Comprehensive Evaluation from a Private Sector Expert
- Read One Book a Month
- Subscribe to The Special Ed Advocate Newsletter
- Help Yourself: Wrightslaw Way Blog & Community Helpline
- Use Online Information & Resources
Read the complete Wrightslaw Game Plan to find the next steps. |
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| Tips, Tactics, and Tools for Effective Advocacy |
True story! - it happened this week.
Karin emails...
"I'll miss the OK training. Which of your products could I order that would give me some of what you would have spoken about?"
Pete emails Karin during the lunch break...
"I am in Columbia MD doing a 2 day program. Mid-morning I caught the audience by surprise and gave them a pop quiz on what I have not yet taught them!
Out of 20 questions, average score is usually 2 correct. One attendee got 10 correct, highest score. When I asked her why she was able to do so well, she replied, "I took your six and a half hour WebEx course on the CD-ROM!"
So, take that course and you will be in good shape."
Advocacy Training on CD-ROM
 Special Education Law & Advocacy Training includes all the content of the live program ... and more than an hour of bonus content.
Click here for more about the program.
Wrightslaw WebEx Training on CD-ROM
Visit the Advocacy Library to find dozens of articles that will help you become a more effective advocate for your child.
Go to our Law Library and download the IDEA Statute that includes Pete's commentary, the federal regulations, the Commentary to the regulations and other law articles. |
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Link Up with Other Advocates |
Join the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) is the national organization of attorneys, education advocates and parents. COPAA focuses on special education rights and excellence in advocacy. Mission
 As a member, you have access to moderated discussion groups (listservs), databanks of legal documents, and materials by leading special education attorneys and advocates.
COPAA sponsors an annual conference to provide training and education for parents, advocates, and attorneys.
Benefits l Membership application l Scholarships
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