How Can a Parent Become an Effective Advocate?
What is an Advocate?
An advocate is one who pleads another's cause in support of something. A parent can be their child's best advocate. When advocating for your child, consider using this three-step approach.
What are the Steps to Effective Advocacy?
Step One:
Approach the right person in as professional a manner as possible.
Ask these questions;
- Is this the person who can help me come up with effective solutions and enforce the solution if agreement is made?
- Will my approach motivate and encourage the person to cooperate?
Step Two:
Clearly identify what you need.
Ask these questions;
- What does my child need that they are not getting?
- What do I want the person to do for my student or me?
Step Three:
Have an idea of some options or be prepared to discuss options that can help those involved come to a mutually agreeable resolution.
Ask these questions;
- How is my child performing?
- What can we do as partners to raise his/her performance?
- What resources and policies are in place to help me address or resolve my concerns?
What Does an Effective Advocate Know?
- How to communicate in a way that can bring about desired results
- The appropriate contact or authority for valid information and decision making
- How their student is performing
- Their rights and responsibilities
- The services and resources available and the policies that govern those services
When should I advocate for my child?
- When you have concerns about your child's education that have not been addressed
- When you recognize gaps in services that may hinder your child's ability to learn
How do I know when I need support from the Family Advocate Department?
- When you are unsure about roles and responsibilities
- When there are gaps in your understanding of policies or procedures
- When you do not feel that you have been understood
If you would like to know more about Kansas City Kansas Public School's Family Advocate System, call 913-627-4389.