Being An Advocate for Your Child
Setting the Right Tone
1. Listen to your child, your instincts and the school staff with an open mind.
2. Assume positive intent.
3. Treat school staff with respect, even when you don’t feel respected. This might mean you need to take a calm, trusted friend with you to meetings or that you need to excuse yourself at times.
Be Well Versed in the Law
1. Familiarize yourself with your child’s rights. This web site is a resource and has many links to other resources.
Documenting
1. Maintaining appropriate documents is crucial to advocacy. If it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen.
2. Keep meticulous records, including notes from meetings, letters to and from the school, and school records. Keep a log of EVERY time your child is sent home from school.
3. Keep a time log of phone calls and all forms of correspondence to decision makers.
4. After meetings, write the school a letter or email of understanding of what occurred and what the agreed next steps are.
5. Do not rely on memory and writing alone. Be creative in using photos, audio tapes, and other communication methods.
Advice from a mother whose son faced expulsion
