Advocacy

Taking a Closer Look: My Child's Academic Success

By: U.S. Department of Education (2008)

The U.S. Education Department provides these tips for parents about how to be involved in your child's school, and what to do if problems arise.

Having Your Child Tested for Learning Disabilities Outside of School

By: Reading Rockets (2008)

Children who struggle with reading often need extra help. This help usually comes from the school, but some parents choose to look outside of the school for professionals who can assess, diagnose, tutor, or provide other education services. The following article provides information on how to find the right person for your child.

Documenting Communication with the School About Special Services

By: Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright (2008)

When dealing with a bureaucracy, and school districts are bureaucracies, you need to keep detailed records. Logs, journals, and calendars provide answers and support memories and testimonies. This article provides examples of how to keep a paper trail.

Honoring Children's Rights to Excellent Reading Instruction

By: International Reading Association (2008)

The International Reading Association's position is that every child has a right to receive the best possible reading instruction, and has a set of 10 principles to help provide excellent reading instruction.

Fighting the Good Fight: How to Advocate for Your Students Without Losing Your Job

By: Rick Lavoie (2008)

Teachers: How do you convince your principal, fellow teachers, and other school staff to help the student in your class who has a learning disability? Rick Lavoie, world-renowned expert, speaker, and author on teaching children with LD, tells you how to get your voice heard. Learn how to handle common road blocks and become a proactive and successful advocate in the hallways, the teacher's lounge, and the administrative suite.

Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate and Attorney

By: Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright (2007)

Learn to develop the evidence that you need to support your belief that your child is not receiving the right help in school. You need to know the facts about your child as described in tests and evaluations. Peter and Pamela Wright, from Wrightslaw, tell you how to interpret and chart your child's test scores, describe your child's progress in graphs, and successfully communicate with the educators who are making decisions about your child.

Advocating for Your Child: Getting Started

By: Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright (2007)

When an advocate negotiates with the school on a special needs child's behalf, the odds are increased that the child will get an appropriate education. Learn who can advocate, what they do, and how you can get started advocating for your child.

Advocating for Your Preschool Child

By: National Center for Learning Disabilities (2006)

It's never too early to start looking for ways to help your child succeed in learning. This article covers children who are under 2 and who are in pre-school. They have rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Find out the first steps to take if you suspect your child has difficulty learning.

Seeking Help for a Struggling Reader: 8 Steps for Parents

By: Reading Rockets (2004)

What should you do if you think your child is having trouble with reading? Sometimes children just need more time, but sometimes they need extra help. Trust your instincts! You know your child best. If you think there's a problem, there probably is.

My Son's Disability, and My Own Inability to See It

By: Martha Randolph Carr (2004)

This is a cautionary tale, not just for people who have no real idea of what a learning disability is and probably suspect the whole thing is an overindulgent scam, but also for any parent of a child struggling mightily through school.

How Parents Can Be Advocates for Their Children

By: Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities (2000)

As your child's best advocate, you are in a unique position to identify and implement positive changes. This article gives advice on how to be effective. You should know the rules, keep records, gather information, and communicate effectively.