When you have a school age child with special needs, it can be very frustrating trying to get him the kind of help he needs in order to succeed academically. If you feel like the school administration and teaching staff are less than cooperative, or insensitive to your child's challenges, it might be time to get professional help. You can opt for a special education advocate California educators will listen to, or an attorney. These are not the same thing, and it's important that you understand the differences.
Advocates are people who may or may not be trained to guide parents. Some have expertise in the legal field, while others don't. You will need an attorney if you are considering legal action in regard to the school system. Either one of these professionals can assist parents with writing letters to school administrators and represent them at hearings. Advocates may be able to give you information pertaining to your legal rights. They are not allowed to give you any kind of legal advice unless they are also lawyers.
Many advocates started their careers as teachers. They can be very help because they are familiar with teaching methods, assistive technology, and behavior modification strategies. These individuals may also be familiar with various programs available in private and public schools. Since they understand school systems, they are often very effective mediators.
Administrators and teaching staff usually react differently when they are faced with advocates and attorneys. Most of them aren't threatened by advocates representing parents. Some teachers may become defensive when advocates attend IEP meetings, but others are happy to discuss the challenges they face having special needs children in their classrooms.
The scenario can be very different when a parent attends an IEP meeting with an attorney in tow. This usually signals to the administration that the parent is escalating the situation, and not in a positive way. When this happens, administrators often insist that they be represented by their own attorneys, which is their right. Adding lawyers to the mix can make communicating more difficult. It can also send the signal that the parent is serious about the child's academic future.
There is certainly a huge difference between what it cost parents to retain advocates and what it costs to hire an attorney. Lawyers are very expensive, even if their initial consultations are free. Advocates, on the other hand, may charge a nominal fee. Others offer their services free of charge.
Before you hire an advocate, there are certain questions you should ask. You need to know what experience the person has and if the individual is familiar with your child's particular school district. You need to know what fees will be charged, and what the fees cover. You should understand how you will be involved and how you will be kept informed.
If you're thinking about hiring a lawyer, you need to ask questions of that individual as well. You also need to know about the lawyer's experience in this field. You have to ask about how the person charges. Understanding your lawyer's proposed plan of action is equally important.
Advocates are people who may or may not be trained to guide parents. Some have expertise in the legal field, while others don't. You will need an attorney if you are considering legal action in regard to the school system. Either one of these professionals can assist parents with writing letters to school administrators and represent them at hearings. Advocates may be able to give you information pertaining to your legal rights. They are not allowed to give you any kind of legal advice unless they are also lawyers.
Many advocates started their careers as teachers. They can be very help because they are familiar with teaching methods, assistive technology, and behavior modification strategies. These individuals may also be familiar with various programs available in private and public schools. Since they understand school systems, they are often very effective mediators.
Administrators and teaching staff usually react differently when they are faced with advocates and attorneys. Most of them aren't threatened by advocates representing parents. Some teachers may become defensive when advocates attend IEP meetings, but others are happy to discuss the challenges they face having special needs children in their classrooms.
The scenario can be very different when a parent attends an IEP meeting with an attorney in tow. This usually signals to the administration that the parent is escalating the situation, and not in a positive way. When this happens, administrators often insist that they be represented by their own attorneys, which is their right. Adding lawyers to the mix can make communicating more difficult. It can also send the signal that the parent is serious about the child's academic future.
There is certainly a huge difference between what it cost parents to retain advocates and what it costs to hire an attorney. Lawyers are very expensive, even if their initial consultations are free. Advocates, on the other hand, may charge a nominal fee. Others offer their services free of charge.
Before you hire an advocate, there are certain questions you should ask. You need to know what experience the person has and if the individual is familiar with your child's particular school district. You need to know what fees will be charged, and what the fees cover. You should understand how you will be involved and how you will be kept informed.
If you're thinking about hiring a lawyer, you need to ask questions of that individual as well. You also need to know about the lawyer's experience in this field. You have to ask about how the person charges. Understanding your lawyer's proposed plan of action is equally important.
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