SPRING IS HERE: PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
1M ago
A few things to consider if your child has an IEP {individual education plan) for specially designed instruction: For it’s NOT too early to prepare and plan for school-year 24-25 even though it seems to be so far away:  Things to consider … 1.  SPRING TESTING: If your child requires accommodation to access these annual tests or … needs to “opt out” for a variety of reasons, it’s time to meet with the IEP Team and address this now before testing takes place. 2. ESY: As discussed in a previous blog, if your child experiences “regression” and a significant loss of learning due to brea ..read more
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EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY): Time to Consider
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
1M ago
As we move into the final stretch of the school year: First off, so many don’t really have a good sense of what “extended school year” is all about.  Specifically, there are students supported by an IEP, who tail off during breaks; often referred as “regression”.  And in these situations, the IEP Team needs to consider the prospect of extending the school year into the period when school is typically down; often during the summer. However, ESY services are not the same thing as summer school. They’re specialized instruction or related services that are part of an IEP.   T ..read more
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SPECIAL EDUCATION? DO NOT DO IT …
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
1M ago
Do not do it ALONE! There are a few things in life which the DYI model suits the project well; however, navigating your child’s IEP or 504 Plan is NOT one of those situations. Trust me on this. Yes, I am an Education Advocate. And I have provided this service to parents since 1998. I also have been a Director of Special Education, an Elementary Principal, a Behavior Specialist, a Highly Capable Coordinator, and a K-8 Teacher; so I know a thing or two about special education and schools in general. So when I say this, “Do not do it alone” … I am speaking from head and heart on this one: There ..read more
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The Pareto Principle, The Diffusion of Innovation, and Your Child’s School: There are Unicorns Out There!
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
2M ago
Too often, school administrators describe their staff with over-reaching broad stroke statements like “ALL our teachers are on-board ….” as if the whole staff, whether it be at the school or district level, move collectively as one. This is not true for it fails to follow along with basic human nature, behavior, and the fundamental principles associated with social development. Teachers and educators are human and we all react and respond differently toward variables such as stress, challenge, obstacles, and trauma based upon our own experiences and personal interpretations.  Certainly ..read more
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A Special Message from My Heart to Yours
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
3M ago
A Special Message ...   As I write today, and wish you all a very pleasant holiday season and a Happy New Year, I lean toward a deeper sense of commitment forward through education advocacy like never before. I will explain in a moment. But before doing so, I want to say “thank you” for your trust and the opportunity to work with parents this past year for it provides the opportunity to serve others and do what I have been called upon to do as a purpose and a calling. For this, I am grateful. Earlier this morning, I read the following headline: “Forty-Four Percent of Public School Stude ..read more
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Education Advocacy Tool Kit: Three Essentials
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
3M ago
Education Advocacy Tool Kit: Three Essentials You May Not Be Using   Between August and late June, there isn’t a day when I don’t hear from parents related to IEP Plans, 504 Plans, or general education programming.  It’s a major part of my life.  And in these discussions, I usually touch upon a few guiding questions to set up the conversation moving forward:  EVALUATIONS WHAT WORKS PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS   1. Does your son or daughter have an Evaluation from an outside clinician like a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, or a s ..read more
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“Least Restrictive”: Protecting Our Children From Who?
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
4M ago
As an Education Advocate across the country, I see everything when it comes to the IEP process and special education.  No matter where you live, there are a number of challenges which seem to be inherent to the public school system.  And the one phrase that seems to continue serve as a bone of contention for parents is found in the current interpretation and meaning of the statement: “LEAST RESTRICTIVE”.   Today, parents consistently hear this when they are seeking additional services and supports for their children.  Whether it be in the form of 1:1 instructional as ..read more
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Are You Ready For The New School Year? ADVOCACY
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
7M ago
It’s often stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”; especially if the “cure” creates misunderstanding, division, and conflict. This is true for most events which have a high stakes impact on one’s life as well as our childrens’ lives. And this is where Education Advocacy enters the discussion. Simply, during those moments when we feel over-whelmed, stressed, or out of our league, we often lean toward the expertise and guidance of a specialist. In matters related to educational planning, IEP development, 504 Plan accommodations, and behavior management systems, a well-informed ..read more
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Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh My and The Amygdala Hijack
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
1y ago
“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” [Dorothy; Wizard of Oz] No, we are not in Kansas anymore, especially when we are considering how our children are responding to being back in school. From my lens, as an education advocate / consultant, working with parents, teachers, and administrators; far too many kids today are anxious, stressed, and just-plain on-edge within the school setting. As a result, their behaviors are pushing into the “Amygdala Hijack” featuring flight – fight or freeze. Can you relate? It’s as if the veil of compliance has fallen by the wayside, and the st ..read more
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Back to School: Message for Parents
Special Education Advocacy- Advocate for IEP, 504 Plans, Gifted, and Education Consultation
by larry
1y ago
It’s often stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”; especially if the “cure” creates misunderstanding, division, and conflict. This is true for most events which have a high stakes impact on one’s life as well as our childrens’ lives. And this is where Education Advocacy enters the discussion. Simply, during those moments when we feel over-whelmed, stressed, or out of our league, we often lean toward the expertise and guidance of a specialist. In matters related to educational planning, IEP development, 504 Plan accommodations, and behavior management systems, a well-informed ..read more
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