It’s a horrible feeling: your child is struggling in school and you’re not sure how to fix it. I found myself in this predicament a few years ago. After numerous conferences with teachers and other education experts, I grew weary. I imagined the school staff was getting sick of me as well, until a teacher stopped me in the hallway. “We need parents like you,” she said. “If you aren’t going to be your child’s voice, who will?”

        That teacher not only encouraged me but provided me with the definition of being an advocate: someone who speaks or acts on behalf of another person. All children need parental advocates within the school system; we know our child better than anyone else, and as such, can impart important information useful to our child’s education.

        The latest statistics show that one out of seven children needs special assistance in their education. Even a high percentage of gifted students suffer from learning disabilities. When put in that light, parents can see that they’re not alone in having a child who struggles in school.

        Here are some tips and strategies for acting as your child’s advocate in the school system:

Notice Your Child’s Strengths. Before sharing your concerns with the school, document all the areas in which your child succeeds. All children have strengths, no matter their varying degrees of special needs, and often the school environment isn’t conducive to highlighting them. Providing such insight will give educators the tools to help a child overcome their weaknesses by utilizing their strengths. It may take some creativity, but such tactics help prevent low self-esteem when a child is struggling in school.

Develop Open Teacher Communication. Keep in mind that the teacher is commissioned to have the child’s best educational interests in mind too, and as such, keep blame out of the equation. With a team mindset, find the best way to establish open communication with a teacher.

        “Maintaining an open and collaborative relationship with the classroom teacher supports a positive learning environment both at school and home for your child,” Matt Engel, school counselor at Prospect Elementary explains. “It also models healthy communication, problem solving, and reinforces that you place a high value on education.”

        Email is often easier for a teacher to respond to in a timely manner and allows parental concerns to be voiced in writing, which can be passed on to resource teachers, if needed. Volunteer or observe often to have a better grasp on the needs and situations your child is experiencing. This knowledge will help you, as a parent, when educational strategies are presented.

Know Your Rights. The Idaho State Department of Education offers a Special Education Manual to help explain the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the provisions, policies, and guidelines governing the programs. Available online at sde.idaho.gov, the manual weighs in at over 400 pages, but the table of contents is detailed to help narrow your search.

        Fundamentally, IDEA states that every child has the right to a free, appropriate public education. As such, parents are allowed to request assessments, evaluations, and tests to determine any special learning needs. In the event parents don’t agree with the school district’s assessment, they have the right to have the child retested by a certified expert or professional in the field.

Prepare for Meetings. Should an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) be necessary, there will be annual meetings to review and discuss goals and strategies. Write down all your concerns, questions, and suggestions ahead of time to stay focused at the meeting. Leave a copy with the teacher to reference at a later time.

Seek Resolution. Whenever you or your child has a concern, address it sooner rather than later. If you are not satisfied that the teacher is addressing your concerns, ask the school counselor/psychologist for a meeting. Bring all pertinent documentation and continue to strive for a win-win resolution.  

        If the child has an IEP, the parent has the right to call a meeting at any time if they believe the IEP needs to be altered. Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) was one of the first states to offer facilitators and mediators to districts and parents, free of charge.

        Dr. Melanie Reese, Dispute Resolution Coordinator for the SDE Special Education Office, works with parents who feel intimidated, unheard, or just want help understanding the process. Dr. Reese explains, “When a person gets frustrated it’s because they care. So when a parent calls, we talk about facilitation and mediation. A state facilitator can come in and help as a neutral third party.”

        In any school-advocating scenario, if resolution isn’t met with the teacher or school counselor, continue on the path by going as far as the principal, regional director, and if necessary, superintendent. Keep documentation for every meeting. In rare instances, if resolution isn’t met through previous methods, parental concerns can be addressed in mediation.

        The Idaho State Department of Education offers dispute resolution procedures and tips for these instances. Dr. Reese comments, “Depending on the severity of the issue, we can talk about complaint investigations, but most of the time my goal is to help the district and the parent work together.”

Take advantage of resources. If seeking help from a mental health provider, the Meridian Joint School District #2 recommends getting recommendations from your family doctor and other families that have similar challenges. Always check the provider’s education, experience, and reputation before setting an appointment. My pediatrician remarked, “It’s important to be careful. I’ve seen the diagnosis change depending on the person evaluating.”

        www.Ldonline.org is one of many leading websites on learning disabilities and ADHD. Consult pediatricians, teachers, and mental health professionals for other resources to better understand your child’s needs.

Stay motivated. You are part of your child’s education for years to come. Remember, the benefits of serving as your child’s best advocate go far beyond the world of education; they teach your child to advocate for themselves.

        My eldest daughter has watched me advocate for her siblings for years now. When we moved to the Boise area in March 2010, I requested that my daughter be placed in the highest level of math. A month later, the school counselor called to tell me that my daughter had requested to be moved down a level. The counselor told me my daughter’s reasons.

        It took me off guard at first. But given the situation, my daughter’s reasons were sound. This past year, my daughter’s math teacher remarked that the curriculum seemed too easy for her. She told him that if she could be in an environment where she could ask a lot of questions, then she’d gladly move up a level. The teacher listened to her concerns, contacted me for my permission, and my daughter happily spent most of this year in advanced math class. The experience reminded me that eventually, a child will grow up to have their own voice—especially when provided with an example.

Heather Humrichouse is a freelance writer in the Treasure Valley.