Reasons You Need an Advocate

Regular Education Difficulties

Your child is having difficulty managing the online environment during COVID-19.

Your child's teacher(s) requested a conference to discuss poor grades, low test scores, &/or behavior problems.

Teachers report that your child fails to turn in assignments, is unorganized, inattentive, impulsive, or misbehaves.

You want teacher conferences to be about how to help your child succeed vs. what your child is doing wrong.

You disagree with the school about your child's ability or behavior & want to meet with the teacher(s) or principal.

Your child is not receiving the needed support from teachers to be successful &/or perform to his/her full potential.

Your child is frequently isolated or removed from the classroom due to distraction or behavior problems.

You suspect a poor match between the teacher & your child's learning style may be the root of your child's issues.

Your child is receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 support/interventions (MTSS/RTI), but it is not helping him/her succeed.

Your child dislikes school, believes the teacher picks on him/her, or feels he/she can't do anything right.

You feel like the teacher singles out your child, is quick to find fault, or holds your child to a different standard.

You are frustrated with the school and considering private, charter, virtual, or home-school as an alternative.

Evaluations & Eligibility

Your child's evaluation or referral for ESE has been delayed during COVID-19.

The school's Problem Solving (Child Study) Team requested a meeting to discuss your child's performance.

You want support at or in preparation for school meetings to understand the data & evaluation results presented.

You or your child's teacher(s) suspect your child may have ADHD, a learning disability, or a behavioral disorder.

The school wants to evaluate your child for a potential learning or behavioral disability (determines ESE eligibility).

You want the school to evaluate your child to see if he/she is eligible for more support in school (IEP/504 Plan).

The school conducted an evaluation and you have been asked to a meeting to discuss the results and next steps.

You disagree with the school's evaluation, want to know your options, or wish a second opinion (at the school's expense).

You had your child privately tested and wish to share the results & discuss next steps with the school.

You are at odds with the school over the results of their evaluation and need someone to help mediate the dispute.

The results of an independent education evaluation differ from the school's evaluation of your child.

You need help reviewing the results of your child's evaluation and planning the best path for your child's success.

ESE Services & Implementation

Your child is not getting the program or related services specified in his/her IEP, 504 Plan, or PBIP during COVID-19. 

Your child was identified as gifted but is not performing well and may also have ADHD or a disability (twice exceptional).

Your child is eligible for ESE services & you are meeting with the school about an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Your child has ADHD & you are meeting with the school about a 504 plan, or the school denied a 504 plan for your child.

You want support at or in preparation for IEP or 504 plan meetings so you can provide appropriate input for the plan.

Your child was diagnosed with ADHD, and you don't believe medication is the best way to support his/her success.

You attended an IEP or 504 plan meeting and were not satisfied that it was written to address your child's unique needs.

You disagree with the ESE services or the related services the school believes is appropriate for your child.

Your child is not consistently receiving the modifications or accommodations outlined in his/her IEP or 504 plan.

Your child has been recommended for a more restrictive environment than you feel is necessary for his/her success.

Your child has an IEP or 504 plan, but the goals are too general, or it is ineffective in meeting your child's specific needs.

You want to know more about the McKay Scholarship and Gardiner Scholarship available to students with disabilities.