"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." - John Wooden, UCLA basketball coach
Begin now to learn effective advocacy skills and techniques. Find out how to avoid unnecessary power struggles and develop positive relationships with school personnel next year.
Pam Wright says, "Because parents and schools have different perceptions and expectations, disagreements are inevitable." But, there are better ways to obtain positive results than roaring through meetings like a Mack Truck.
Indiana Advocate Pat Howey explains these different perspectives and reasons for power struggles in Why Do Schools Draw Lines in the Sand?. Read her advice to parents about wisely using your power to obtain what you want.
What is Your Advocacy Style?
Do you work effectively with your school or IEP team? What is your advocacy style? Are you a:
- pacifist
- clinging vine
- waiter
- bombshell...
To find out what category you are in, read Assertiveness and Effective Parent Advocacy. Learn about assertive parents who express themselves clearly, directly, and without guilt.
An effective advocate knows how to knock down barriers and open doors. In Assertiveness and Effective Parent Advocacy, advocate Marie Sherrett shows you how to participate, plan for educational programs, and even get legislation passed.
How to Solve Problems and Protect Parent-School Relationships
You will negotiate with the school on your child's behalf for many years. Writing demanding letters or waving law at school personnel is not the way to succeed. As a parent, your goal is to get the school staff to want to help your child and your family.
Here's how. Read How to Solve Problems and Protect Parent-School Relationships. This excellent guide from Wrightslaw describes how to structure your relationship with the school so you focus on problem-solving, while also protecting parent-school relationships.
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