As an educator for students with disabilities, you’re well aware of the challenges that come with navigating special education.
We know you often juggle a multitude of items, whether it be Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, accommodations, modifications, services tracking documentation, progress reports, or more. These priorities all can be overwhelming, but there’s one crucial element of special education that’s often left out of the equation—advocacy.
Advocacy in special education is the support of individuals with disabilities to ensure they receive equal access to education and services. Advocacy might seem like it’s mostly for parents working to get the right support for their kids, but districts and educators play an essential role too. When you take on the mantle of being an advocate, you can make a huge difference in helping students excel from the very beginning.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of your school district and staff participating in special education advocacy, how it can positively impact your student’s academic and personal success, and how Euna Special Education can help remove your team’s burdens so that you can excel in advocacy.
Brush Up on Your History
Many of you are already aware of special education law and court cases, but we wanted to give you a brief brush-up on the history behind special education and introduce you to a more recent court case that has transformed special education practices for the better.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most important laws in special education history:
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): IDEA is a law that was created to make sure that all children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Section 504 is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. It stipulates various protections and procedural safeguards for people with disabilities from being treated unfairly or denied access to services or benefits.
- Americans with Disabilities Act: The ADA requires public and private places, employment, transportation, public services, and all other aspects of public life to be accessible to people with disabilities, including making reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
These special education laws are foundational to students receiving the support they need to succeed in the school system. One court case that you may not be aware of, though, is Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools. This landmark decision has played a key role in making sure that school districts keep documentation that students are receiving all the appropriate services they need to meet IEP goals and receive the maximum educational benefit.
Check out our blog detailing the implications of this case: Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools: Everything You Need to Know.
Understanding these laws and court cases will equip you with the knowledge to advocate for your students’ rights and ensure they receive the special education services they deserve.
Collaborate with Other Advocates
Joining forces with fellow teachers, administrators, and other professionals involved in your students’ education is crucial for effective advocacy. Each of these individuals offers valuable insights into the students’ academic progress, strengths, and improvement areas.
Often, this collaboration happens through an IEP team meeting for students with IEPs. A child’s IEP meeting is an occasion for the team to discuss the child’s goals, assess their current levels, address parent concerns, and gather parental input on their child’s needs, while determining necessary special education services—all vital components of special education advocacy.
Some strategies that Wright’s Law suggest to expand your advocacy efforts as an educator include:
- Participating in advocacy opportunities
- Joining a disability information group
- Attending conferences and training programs
- Continually practicing your advocacy skills
Strengthening your network and deepening your involvement are crucial steps in becoming a more effective advocate, empowering both you and your students in the journey towards educational excellence.
Promote Self-Advocacy
As educators, it’s not only your job to impart knowledge but also to empower students, especially those with special needs, to become effective self-advocates. Fostering self-advocacy skills in students provides them with the ability to understand and express their own needs, paving the way for greater independence.
Encouraging student participation in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings is a key step in this process. By promoting a classroom environment where students feel comfortable voicing their needs, you can help students gain confidence in communicating their challenges and successes. Equipping students with these critical skills not only enhances their educational experience but prepares them to tackle the demands of adulthood with resilience and self-awareness.
Take the Burden off Your Team with Euna Special Education
Now that you understand how to advocate for special education students, you might wonder how you can achieve this while juggling your current priorities. That’s where Euna Special Education steps in. We alleviate the heavy burden of your special education process by offering IEP management, MTSS, Progress Monitoring, Services Tracking, Section 504 tools, and more so you can focus on what truly matters—supporting and engaging with your students.
As special education advocates within your school district, you’ll contribute to creating a more informed and inclusive environment for your students. Interested in discovering how Euna Special Education can eliminate the burden of paperwork and disjointed processes? Request a demo today!