| FAQ: |
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What is an Educational
Advocate? |
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What is an IEP?
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What is a Section 504
plan?
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What can an educational
advocate do for you?
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What
I can do
for you? |
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About me.
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How you can
contact me. |
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WHAT IS AN EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE?
An Educational Advocate is a professional who is familiar
with the structure of the school system and with special
education law, providing information to and representing
parents of children with special needs as they work to
acquire the appropriate services to which their child is
entitled so that he or she can obtain an appropriate
education. An educational advocate is a professional that
works with you and the school to obtain an appropriate
education for your child's specialized needs. They are
familiar with the structure of the school system, special
education law, and how to acquire the appropriate services
that your child is entitled to so that she/he can reach
their full potential. |
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WHAT IS AN IEP?
It is an individualized educational program. It is a written
plan that acts as a contract between the parent, school, and
child. A team convenes and develops the plan which becomes
the IEP. The team consists of the parent, a special
education teacher, a general education teacher, a district
liaison, and the student when appropriate.
There are goals and objectives that are based on the
individual's unique educational needs. Appropriate
accommodations and modifications will be included
in order for
the student to be able to achieve his/her goal or
objective. The setting or placement will be discussed and
agreed upon by the team. An IEP's duration is normally one
year but can be reconvened by parent or school as necessary
to provide an appropriate education to the student. Progress
towards the goals and objectives must be reported to the
parent on an intermittent basis as agreed upon by the team.
This contract acts as the focal point between the parent and
the school to clarify issues that may come up for the term
of the IEP. |
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WHAT IS A SECTION 504 PLAN?
Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To be
eligible for a 504 Plan, a child must have at least one
mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one
major life activity. Major life activities include walking,
seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, reading,
writing, performing math calculations, caring for oneself,
and performing manual tasks. The 504 Plan describes
accommodations or modifications provided by the school. The
law does not require this plan but a parent can and should
request one. |
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WHAT CAN AN EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE DO FOR YOU?
An Educational Advocate can help you navigate your way
through the bureaucracy of the school system. An advocate
has a good working knowledge of how a particular school
district operates, and understands and stays abreast of the
ever-changing laws pertaining to your child's education. The
advocate becomes part of your team as you pursue an
appropriate education for your child.
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WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU AS A PARENT?
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| 1 |
Obtain all school records including any testing
that has been done.
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Review all records and testing in detail.
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Evaluate your child's present program.
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Help obtain special education services if he/she
does not have any at this time.
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Help develop IEP's and/or 504 Plans. |
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Attend meetings with you at the school.
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Suggest strategies to implement which will
assure that your child receives an appropriate
education. |
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Follow up after meetings to make sure that the
plan is being implemented and is working for
your child.
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Assist in transitions.
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Make sure that your child receives all the
services that he/she is entitled to under the
law.
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