Supportive Journey Lesson 4

SUPPORTIVE JOURNEYS

SUPPORTIVE

JOURNEYS

LESSON 4: ONGOING ADVOCACY

Key Vocab

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Lesson 2: Evaluations

Lesson 1: Special Education

Lesson 4: Ongoing Advocacy

Lesson 3: Individualized Education Programs

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Last Session

Placement and Services

Purpose of IEP

People Involved

Present Levels and Goals

The school must complete the evaluation within a specific timeline (usually 60 days after receiving parental consent), and parents have the right to request an independent evaluation if they disagree with the school's findings.

The purpose of an IEP is to create a tailored educational plan that supports a child's unique learning needs and helps them succeed in school.

An IEP meeting includes the parents, teachers, special education staff, school psychologist, and sometimes the student, all working together to support the child's learning.

The IEP outlines the student's current academic and functional abilities, along with measurable goals that target areas of growth.

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Think about your own culture or background. SELECT ONE: How does it influence the way you communicate and make decisions about your child’s education?

SELECT ONE:

“I value direct, open communication and prefer to speak up assertively.”

“I value respect for authority figures, and I’m more comfortable listening than speaking in meetings.”

“I come from a background where community and family play a big role in decision-making.”

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Assertive Advocate

Advocating assertively is about clearly communicating your child’s needs and making sure your voice is heard. This approach can be powerful but must be balanced with cultural sensitivity and respect for others.

Respectfully Challenge Decisions

Understand the School's Perspective

Use Data to Back Up Requests

Know When to Escalate

Push for What Your Child Needs

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Practice

Watch the video and determine what you might say.

What would you say in response to this situation?

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Remember:

• Stay Calm and Confident
• Clarify Expectations
• Frame Your Responses Positively
• Involve Your Child’s Strengths

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Quiet Powerhouse

If you're more comfortable listening than speaking, remember that your voice matters. You are the expert on your child, and learning how to share your thoughts in a way that feels comfortable is key to effective advocacy.

Bring Support

Focus on Your Child's Strengths

Prepare Ahead of Time

Ask Questions Without Hesitatation

Start Small and Build

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Practice

Watch the video and determine what you might say.

What would you say in response to this situation?

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Remember:

• Take Your Time
• Use Phrases That Work for You:
• Acknowledge Your Feelings
• Follow Up After the Meeting

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Community Champion

If your culture values collective decision-making, advocating with support from family or community members can empower your voice. You may feel more confident bringing others into the process to support your child’s needs.

Share Updates with Your Support Network

Build Culturally Responsive Relationships

Invite Trusted Family Members or Advocates to Meetings

Leverage Collective Power

Understand Your Rights and Resources

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Practice

Watch the video and determine what you might say.

What would you say in response to this situation?

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Remember:

• Acknowledge Cultural Values
• Clarify the Advocate’s Role
• Empower Your Advocate to Participate

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Reflect:

Question

Your Educational Experience

Have you experienced racism or negative treatment in school that has made you distrustful of the system?

Choose Your Response

No

Yes

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Healing and Advocating from a Place of Mistrust

If you’ve experienced racism or bias, it’s understandable to be wary of the school system. Advocating for your child requires rebuilding trust while ensuring they don’t experience the same injustices.

Be upfront about your past experiences and how they shape your approach to advocacy.

• Build relationships with culturally responsive staff who acknowledge and address racial biases.
• Focus on using the system to your child’s advantage, even if it requires extra effort.

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Recognizing and Addressing Bias in Education

Understanding how bias shows up in education is important. Advocacy means challenging unfair practices and demanding equity for your child and others that may have had different experiences than you.

Learn how to recognize implicit biases and their impact on special education decisions.

• Don’t be afraid to ask how the school is addressing equity in their services.
• Advocate for culturally responsive assessments and interventions that reflect your child’s needs.

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Reflection

Share your voice.

Now that you’ve explored different advocacy paths, reflect on what resonates most with you. How can you use your unique advocacy style to ensure the best outcomes for your child?

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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Post-Survey

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LESSON 4: CAREGIVER ADVOCACY

THANK

YOU!

sara@leaderscript.org

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Lean on Others

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If you’re nervous about speaking up or feel overwhelmed, consider bringing a family member, friend, or advocate to the meeting.

• Having someone by your side for moral support can help ease any anxiety and provide an extra pair of ears to ensure nothing is missed.
• This person can also help clarify points if you need more time to think or process information.

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It's okay to push!

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If you feel that the school is overlooking or underestimating your child’s needs, don’t hesitate to speak up.

• Sometimes schools may propose reducing services based on overall trends or budget constraints, but it's important to advocate for individualized attention to your child’s unique situation.
• Assertiveness means making sure your child’s specific challenges are acknowledged and addressed, and that any decision made is truly in their best interest.

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Locate Resources

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Having community support doesn’t just mean emotional or moral backing—it can also include access to resources and knowledge about your rights as a parent or caregiver.

• Look for advocates or organizations with expertise in special education law, cultural competency, or educational equity.
• These resources can provide valuable insights and strategies for navigating the IEP process more effectively.
• Knowing your rights is essential, advocates who understand your cultural values and the educational system are crucial.

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Imagine you have a daughter named Keonna. You are very worried about your daughter's math scores, as she's been getting C's and D's on her tests and she is starting to say she hates math. You are eager to hear what supports they are going to offer.

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Find Your Advocates

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Establishing connections with educators who are culturally responsive and understand your family’s values can help bridge any gaps between home and school.

• These educators are more likely to recognize and respect the importance of community involvement in decision-making and may help facilitate open, inclusive conversations during IEP meetings.
• They can also advocate for culturally relevant interventions and strategies that align with your child’s identity, making the educational experience more personalized and effective.

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Take Action

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Assertiveness also means knowing your rights and being willing to take further action when necessary.

• If you're hitting a wall and feel that your child’s needs are still not being met despite your advocacy efforts, it’s important to know when to escalate the issue.
• This could mean requesting a mediator, appealing decisions, or involving higher-level administrators.
• Check out the linked resources on the Supportive Journeys pages to find advocates and resources near you.

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Bring the Data!

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When advocating for your child, data is your strongest tool.

• Bring recent assessment scores, progress reports, and any other data that reflects your child’s current performance.
• Specific numbers can help make your case and provide evidence that backs up your concerns.
• For example, if you are asking for continued services in a particular area like math, having concrete numbers that show where your child is struggling will make your argument much stronger.

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Start Small

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If speaking up feels difficult, start small.

• You don’t have to challenge every decision or raise every concern at once .
• Begin by asking for clarity on something specific, or by making a simple suggestion that focuses on your child’s strengths.
• Over time, you’ll develop confidence in expressing your thoughts, knowing that each step you take is a step toward ensuring your child gets the support they need.

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You are in an IEP meeting, and the school team begins discussing your child’s evaluation results. They use educational jargon and speak quickly, making it difficult for you to follow the conversation. You feel confused but unsure how to ask them to slow down without feeling embarrassed.

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Champion Your Child

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Advocacy doesn’t always have to focus on the areas where your child is struggling.

• By highlighting your child’s strengths, you can create a more positive, solution-oriented conversation.
• Mention areas where your child has improved or shown great potential, and ask how the school can build on those strengths to help them succeed.
• This not only shifts the tone of the discussion but also frames your advocacy as collaborative.

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Collective Power

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When you engage others in advocacy, you’re not only amplifying your voice but also drawing on the collective power of your community.

• By bringing in family members or community leaders, you demonstrate that your child’s success is a shared priority.
• Collective advocacy can also lead to broader changes in the way schools address the needs of diverse students and families, creating a more inclusive and culturally sensitive environment.

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Right to Question

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Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if something is unclear. If school staff use unfamiliar terms or speak too quickly, it’s okay to pause the conversation and ask for a simpler explanation.

• Meetings about your child’s education should be accessible, and understanding the discussion is critical to making informed decisions.
• Remember, you don’t have to know all the educational jargon—your role is to advocate for your child’s best interests.

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Bring Support

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Invite a trusted family member, friend, or community advocate to attend IEP meetings with you.

• Their presence can provide emotional support, help you process information, and ensure that your concerns are fully addressed.
• For example, if you're unsure how to frame your requests, your advocate might be able to help articulate your concerns or suggestions in a way that aligns with your goals.

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Bring the Respect

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It’s okay to disagree with recommendations if you believe they won’t benefit your child.

• When you challenge a decision, do so with respect and tact, but don’t be afraid to question whether the proposed actions align with your child’s learning goals.
• If a service or support is removed or reduced, request clear justifications and offer alternative solutions.
• Advocacy is a collaborative process, and pushing back thoughtfully can lead to better outcomes for your child.

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Communicate

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Keep your family and community informed about your child’s educational journey.

• Regularly share updates about their progress, challenges, and any concerns you have.
• By doing this, you create a circle of support around your child, allowing others to offer guidance, share insights, or even participate in meetings when necessary.
• This collective approach ensures that your child’s educational experience is supported by those inside and outside of the school environment.

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Listen for Perspective

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While advocating for your child, try to understand the school’s point of view.

• Acknowledge their constraints, such as time, resources, or staffing, but continue to advocate for solutions.
• Demonstrating empathy and understanding for the school’s position can strengthen your relationships with staff and help you negotiate more effectively for your child’s needs.
• Be realistic. Just because you heard of a neat horse therapy program in another state does not mean that the school can or should provide it as part of their program.

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Prepare Ahead

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One of the best ways to build confidence is by preparing for meetings ahead of time.

• Write down your questions, concerns, and key points about your child’s progress or challenges.
• Having a list of topics will help keep you focused and ensure that nothing gets overlooked.
• For example, if you’re worried about your child’s reading progress, make a note to ask about specific supports they’ve been receiving and how their growth is being measured.

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The school staff seems hesitant about you having a friend at your child's IEP meeting, expressing concern that they may not be familiar with the educational system or suggesting that the meeting should be limited to immediate family members and school staff.