Gain insights from professional Board Certified Education Advocates skilled at translating parent concerns, educational needs, and data into an IEP that has functional outcomes and measurable progress.
Join a NEW ESSENTIAL profession!
Invest in yourself as a professional advocate, through a nationally recognized program.
Self-paced webinar
Access 24 hours a day for a full year
LEARN SKILLS THAT CHANGE LIVES!
Improve educational outcomes!
Through IEP DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION & MONITORING
PROTECT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS - LEADING TO AN INDEPENDENT FUTURE
GET APPROPRIATE SERVICES THAT ADDRESS A CHILD'S UNIQUE NEEDS
PROGRESS COMMENSURATE WITH THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL
YOU CAN WORK AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOU WISH
ADVOCATES MAKE $50-$250/hr DEPENDING ON THEIR BACKGROUNDS
LIMITED TIME TO REGISTER - LIMITED ENROLLMENT
"You could not google all this information—amazingly in depth. I did not now what I did not know. "
"I was expecting a review but I got a wealth of NEW research based information. "
"This training goes so far beyond basic regulatory, due process and special education principals. I learned how to identify and address unique and individual educational needs, how to develop a truly comprehensive, child focused, IEP that actually results in functional outcomes. "
"I know these laws better than any Advocate or Special Education Director. I practice in this field. This is the first time anyone told me HOW to get what my son actually needs to succeed."
"I didn't think I would be able to start a business in this field. Boy, was I mistaken! I have enough clients for 4 more advocates to work with me. "
"I now have new insights in understanding the culture, processes and complexities of the education systems. I've learned to manage a wide range of issues, challenges, personalities, and hidden agendas."
"Don't spend years getting piece-meal what you can get in 12 one-day classes. This information would have required me to attend 60+ seminars vs. just 12 days. "
"NSEAI has brought me a highly valued profession. My national board certification has set me apart from other advocates who are not cross-trained. "
"I now have a GPS through the special education maze that detects and addresses detours! Wow, where were you when my child was younger?"
"We were all cross trained in the same room despite our different roles in education, special education, parent and school/ education law, clinically-related services, behavior management, parenting, conflict resolution and advocacy. We laughed at ourselves and no one died. Well done and professional!"
"Beyond the quality of content and presentation, each of the 12 core classes was full of golden nuggets of wisdom and guidance. I cannot emphasize the scope of knowledge that was imparted in these 12 core classes."
"This training serves as a true benchmark of what consumers of professional advocacy training and education advocacy services should come to expect!"
"I cannot keep up with the amount of business I have now, after taking the Business of Advocacy program. This was an amazing entry into the field of education advocacy. You have changed so many lives!"
"A very positive influence on my career. Thank you for the gift of these courses. I still laugh when I think of the stories you all told us. Great information given in a way that you can apply–you didn’t just give us information-you showed us how to use it!"
"I participated in one of my son’s IEP meetings and I left with a bad feeling in my gut. Right around that time, I got a flyer with information to become an Board Certified Education Advocate™. Making the decision to take this training has been life changing for our family. The IEP process is not that scary, once you understand it in detail. "
"I learned so many things. The most comprehensive collection of advocacy information I have ever found, and I’ve taken ALL the other national trainings. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I DID NOT KNOW and I have been a professional advocate for years!"
"The historic lack of any standards, in this industry, has allowed poorly-qualified advocates to promote themselves. NSEAI has set a new national standard now so that everyone has the same quality information allowing us to effectively advocate. Being a BCEA is my top-ranked professional credential. "
"I feel great finally being acknowledged as a BCEA. I have gone to other national education advocacy trainings and trainings in the multiple topics surrounding education. This is comprehensive and an all in one package. I finally learned how to develop an IEP correctly, and support those with disabilities to get a FAPE! (not just run after violations)"
"I have taken so many seminars. Never have I taken a course of study so well formulated and broadly based. It cross trained a seasoned Special Education Advocate like myself to do my job and do it with a renewed level of excellence."
"It is refreshing to be considered a professional advocate. I am not here to write briefs or do legal research, quote the law and make legal decisions/statements. My goal, and NSEAI’s goal is to address a student’s broad educationally based needs and consult on the development of an effective IEP or 504 plan. After taking this training I now feel so much more prepared to facilitate a comprehensive IEP that results in functional outcomes. I am assured that my client’s children will receive a FREE and APPROPRIATE Public Education."
"This organization respects the unique contribution that Special Education Advocates bring to the table—no matter what their original training. My class included teachers, school administrators, Parents, Students, Psychologists, OTs, S/L Therapists, RN’s and Lawyers. It is rare, as a professional educator and school psychologist that I recommend a program so highly. It was a wonderful experience!"
"Finally! A professional organization that addresses Special Education Advocacy with a focus on educational and clinical expertise vs. just a narrow legal approach to advocacy. This course even improved my teaching knowledge that I will take back to the classroom. "
"The NSEAI BCEA training is the national GOLD standard for identifying qualified special education advocates. It focuses on the core issues of educational advocacy and the required cross training, across educationally related specialties, to be successful. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. I never stopped learning during the whole program! It was worth the investment of time and money!"
"Honestly, I just came for an easy way to get CLE Ethics credits. I assumed that this would just be an anti-school district training. My colleagues and I found the program to be very balanced and informative. All stakeholders should take this program. Well Done. "
"I just finished course one, and am about to begin course two of your twelve course program. I love everything you are doing to help moms like me better advocate for our children. Many stories you share I too have personally experienced. My husband just laughs at my conversations I have with you through my ipad .... Ha! I wanted to reach out to let you know you are an absolute godsend to every parent that has ever had to fight their way through an ARD meeting."
"I FINALLY LEARNED TO ADVOCATE EFFECTIVELY!"NSEAIs courses are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and related service providers so they can effectively advocate for students by identifying all areas of needs and developing individualized-child focused IEPs that result in independent functional outcomes.NSEAI provides parents and professional advocates with the knowledge and skills to get appropriately individualized and outcome-focused IEPs, not just “legally sufficient” ones.NOT ONLY WERE THERE:
EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTORY ADVOCACY STRATEGIES There were -
HIGHLY ADVANCED ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
The 12 - one day, on demand, BCEA courses focused on what no other course focuses on:
DO NOT MISS THIS TRAINING IF YOU WANT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ADVOCATE! |
The NSEAI Course leads to a Board Certified Education Advocate™ designation.
If you are going to be an advocate- you might as well learn from expert child focused special education advocates.
Unique cross training
Classes address the concepts and theories related to areas of special education, general curriculum, regulations, related services, research based interventions and programs, evaluations, generalization, and transition to adulthood.
But we don't stop there
We then teach the action steps to get educational needs identified, individualized appropriate programming, and the right data that results in positive academic and functional competency based outcomes, commensurate with the student's abilities.
This is your opportunity
Join a family of professional special education advocates who are all about changing lives and getting positive results and outcomes.
Get it right from the start
We will inspire you to approach the complex inter-disciplinary IEP development process in a powerful way.
We will give you access to all the pieces of the IEP puzzle and then teach you how to put that puzzle together correctly.
Acquire all the tools necessary to be a professional Special Education Advocate, no matter what your educational background or experience.
Leadership with next level impact facilitates solutions that are child focused, individualized, and improve student outcomes.
Inspire through leadership
Be intentional in developing your capacity and confidence to provide exemplary service that gives you a competitive edge.
Be prepared to enter private practice in this rapidly growing field.
Associate with those with common values and mission.
Be an exemplary leader and model the way to:
Facilitate communication that supports positive change
Empower shared input, decision-making, and vision
Enable others to act, and challenge ineffective application of the IEP processes.
"13% of all public school students receive special education services under IDEA. 6.7 million students. "
"New York and New Jersey account for 56% of all Due Process hearings in the United States. The next six states with the highest due process rates account for 24%. (80% of all Due Processes occur in 8 states). So, why are we constantly looking at a LEGAL MODEL vs an IEP DEVELOPMENT MODEL that requires training across professions. "
"After 25 years of IDEA regulations, ALL STATES are out of compliance with IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, in varying degrees. They have all denied appropriate supports and services to students with disabilities. "
"60% of all children in Juvenile Detention have learning disabilities, yet they make up 15% of the population."
"Disciplinary issues are most likely to occur when students are not identified, or provided services they need, leading to measures that deprive them of appropriate preparation for independent living and direct them to a school to prison pipeline. "
"45% of students with learning disabilities are reported to have been bullied at school. "
"The US ranks 38th out of 71 industrialized nations in education"
"60% of people recovering from addictions have some form of a learning disability. "
"A lack of school accountability, poor enforcement of existing federal laws, and systemic barriers have denied students their educational rights and opportunities. This is why we need highly qualified education advocates"
"7000+ students drop out of high school every day. 1 every 26 seconds."
"In 11 states, less than 70% of low income students graduate. "
"50% of students with learning disabilities were suspended or expelled from school. "
"Educational failure puts the US's future, economic prosperity, global position, and physical safety at risk. "
"Most parents don't have access to any attorney, or must rely on low-cost (sub-standard inferred) legal aid. Data from surveys shows that even this help is in short supply... Those parents who have the courage to go it alone face schools that are well represented. "
"CONFLICT between schools and parents over the provision of the education of students with disabilities is not uncommon. Unfortunately, the investigation of conflict and imposed penalties disproportionately focus on procedural matters and do little to address the underlying concerns of students and parents."
"Despite a wealth of procedural safeguards and strong laws protecting students’ rights to a free and appropriate education, too many students with disabilities are leaving school unprepared for postsecondary life. Most leave without a standard diploma. The nation’s compliance and monitoring system should be shifted to better address student outcomes."
"68% of 4th graders nationally scored below BASIC skills in 2017 in both Reading and Math. "
"77% of 12th graders scored below BASIC skills in Math. "
"63% of 12 graders scored below BASIC in Reading. "
"66% of students with disabilities graduated in 2016 compared to 84% of their peers. "
"50% of youth involved in juvenile justice have special needs but those with special needs represent only 13% of the population."
" Only a small subset receive specialized instruction or accommodations. Millions of children with learning or attentional issues a (1 in 5 children) are not formally identified. "
"Advanced courses are not consistently offered throughout the nation’s high schools: only 48% of high schools offer calculus, 60% offer physics, 72% offer chemistry, and 78% offer Algebra II."
"21% of high schools have no access to any school counselor. Yet, 43% of all high schools employ full-time or part-time security personnel (e.g., security guards, school resource officers, or sworn law enforcement officers). "
"In a single year, an estimated 2.1 million youth under the age of 18 are arrested in the United States. Approximately 25% - 250,000 students K-12 are referred to law enforcement by schools each year. "
"More than 100,000 students were placed in seclusion, involuntary confinement, or were physically restrained, this includes 67,000 students with disabilities served by IDEA. 67% where children with disabilities yet they only make up 13-15% of the population. "
We'll cross train you with the educational, clinical and regulatory knowledge necessary to practice as a professional advocate,
We will show you how to develop an individualized IEP that identifies all educational needs, and leads to improved independent functional and academic outcomes, commensurate with the child's ability.
GAIN PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENCE TRANSFORM CHILDREN'SLIVES
Provide advance knowledge, resources, Facilitate positive communication and †ools
Identify child specific needs & scope Know what questions get results of issues
Leverage your experience Understand roles & responsibilities
Proven road map to professional Monitor compliance and outcomes advocacy
BE THE TRUE EXPERT IN YOUR COMMUNITY CLOSE THE EDUCATIONAL GAP
JUST 12 ONE DAY CLASSES - CHOOSE YOUR PLAN
$2394.00
ONLY $199.50 per class
30% DISCOUNT - SAVE $1026
1 year access to all classes
Limited Time Offer
$1710.00
ONLY $142.50 per class
50% DISCOUNT - SAVE $1710
1 year access to all classes
Limited Time Offer
$3420.00
$285.00 per class
30 day access to each class
Learn to ask the right questions—that lead to successful outcomes.
If you are a parent of a child with special needs - just use the information to get the services and specially designed instruction that are appropriate for your child!
If you are an advocate - join our professional advocacy community, get your BCEA designation and improve your skills through a comprehensive cross training course that is required to develop an appropriate IEP.
A comprehensive integrated interdisciplinary cross-training approach, focused on the IEP development process, so you get it right the first time. CLICK on classes to access syllabus.
DO I HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT ALREADY?
This course is designed to work for those in the special education maze and looking to take their skills to the next level. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IS.
It is also laid out to help those who have never thought about a career in the special education advocacy field to get started from the bottom and feel confident moving forward.
We have MANY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS as well as many professionals who have learned how to be more effective special education advocates for children. The professionals who participate run the gamut some looking to retire to advocacy, related services personnel, lawyers, and school administrators.
We created this course around the Zone of Proximal Development Learning Theory (developed by the psychologist Lev Vygotsky) which analyzed how people acquire new knowledge and skills. Learners learn by being guided by those who are more knowledgeable and skilled. The Zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the range of abilities that a learner can perform with assistance (proximal = close to mastery) but cannot yet perform independently and needs more guidance and practice in order to perform these actions independently under expert guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers to have the outcomes they want. We model social interactions that allow you to observe, model and practice your own skills and we scaffold materials with supportive activities that help guide you.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE VIDEOS?
When the inspiration strikes, does it matter where you are? NO! as long as you have internet access.
We have students taking the classes while visiting different countries around the world while on vacation and the program has been proven to work worldwide - (or at least as far away as China). Don't let any barrier you create stop you from this experience!
You can listen to them in the car, watch on a plane, train, or bus, in a calm quiet environment - without auditory or visual distractions, your office with ear phones, when you need a break, in a café, on a park bench, in your favorite chair at your desk - with your favorite pencils (freshly sharpened), and a cup of your freshly brewed coffee.. You can even watch them in bed!
I CAN'T AFFORD THIS - IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO FOR ME?
Yes, we can offer you a Pay-as-you-go - payment plan so that you can pay this over time.
“HOW CAN I AFFORD THIS”
YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO GET THIS COURSE.
Your return on investment is better than any bank or stock!
You can get creative and think of how you can find the money. There is financing, credit cards, loans, parents, friends, family, you could even sell something and use the money from that. Don't just use that excuse, get creative and start thinking of ways that you can make this work.
With the pay as you go payment plan we offer you can get started today for just $285. That is all the money you need to get started right now, TODAY.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO MAKE THIS WORK?
Yes it will work for the busiest of you!
ZERO required days off from work
NO need for babysitting
NO travel costs!
Access at your convenience 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Time Commitment
Access the highest Students have taken the course while on vacation or while traveling outside of the country.
We understand that most people are very busy and have full time jobs, families, commutes and hardly any free time. We have had at home parents with multiple children other professionals employed by home hand security, the police force, school districts, airlines, and in every imaginable field We designed this program so that you can work through it even if you're hard pressed for time. If you can set aside just a few hours per week you will be able to work your way through it.
Even if you can't start right away…reserve your spot and go at your own pace. These lessons aren't live, they're pre-recorded, on-demand and available online inside our training portal. You can login whenever you want with your password, on your own time and on your own schedule.
WATCH THE VIDEOS RISK FREE
WITH AN ABSOLUTE SATISFACTION GUARANTEE*
Our course is already proven with hundreds of testimonials. If you're still unsure about taking our course - we offer a money back guarantee*. Watch the videos risk free for up to 48 hours after purchase and if you're not happy with it ask for a refund via email at [email protected] within 48 hours of purchase and we'll take care of that for you!
This applies ONLY if you have not downloaded any materials.
*Satisfaction guarantee terms - If any materials have been downloaded refund does not apply, NSEAI is not responsible for any bank or other processing fees that may occur.
WHY INVEST IN THIS TRAINING?
Look at what is at stake! A 1st or 2nd career with a very low-cost entry point compared to other careers. You get access to a powerful community. This is a tremendous value for 80 hours of instruction, and incredible bonuses in resources. In a short while you will have a new career, or be able to differentiate yourself from your competition in the quality of education and outcomes your clients receive, as a nationally board certified education advocate, having received extensive cross training.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAM?
NSEAI has been training, at a national level for over 10 years, Board Certified Education AdvocatesTM, (BCEA™ designation).
Over 3000 professionals and parents have benefited from NSEAI programs.
Read the testimonials from this course.
These courses are over flowing with integrated essential information required from multiple professions, to develop an appropriate IEP.
Because this is an on–demand webinar format, we apologize for not being able to directly offer our previously offered CEUs for this course.
When we did the course live, our courses qualified to receive:
We will continue to explore offering them in the future.
We do suggest that you submit the syllabus for each course to your CEU groups and ask for credits.
WILL IT BE TOO TECHNICAL?
It is not too technical. All the information is there for you to review. Follow along and the stories tell you what to do and how to change your thinking and apply advanced advocacy techniques.
Our courses address the needs of a beginner/Consultant, intermediate/Diplomat and advanced/Fellow level education advocate. BCEATMs are parents, educators, clinicians and lawyers, all practicing as education advocates.
Examinations
You have access to each class for up to 1 year if you prepay. Every time you listen to a video it is like peeling an onion where you gain more and more insight into concepts, processes, application and steps to success.
WHY START TODAY?
You've got questions? Have we got some great answers!
If you are done with being frustrated, aggravated, overwhelmed, and tired of repeatedly hitting the wall after hours of IEP development, to be left with a document that not only does not represent the student or their needs but also ultimately is not implemented, then take this course. Do you get left with a legally sufficient IEP that does not address the child's needs adequately? NO MORE!
DO I NEED A LICENSE OR BOARD CERTIFICATION
TO PRACTICE AS AN EDUCATION ADVOCATE?
No, you do not! That is why NSEAI exists. The problem today is that anyone can be an education advocate with no consistent level of qualifications! Most advocates have just been taught laws and regulations and focus on violations vs. preventing them in the first place (56% of all due processes in the country occur in just 2 states, 70% of due process rulings, with parent lawyer representation, are in favor of the school).
NSEAI focuses on understanding the complex inter-disciplinary IEP development process so that students have competency based, measurable functional outcomes that the student can do independently.
Education Advocacy is a consulting business that has no prerequisite education, licensure or certification requirements. Board Certification is a step that most professionals take, through their professional associations, in non-licensed and licensed fields, to assure their clients that they have specialty training.
A certificate of completion or attendance or a course certification is NOT a professional Board Certification. When these certificates are advertised by advocates as being "A certified education advocate" - this is false advertising and unethical. Other professions, especially outside of the legal profession, are very familiar with the board certification process and take this seriously. Other professionals cannot put on their resume that they are certified - just because they took a training - no matter how intensive it is.
Professionals also know that they cannot state that they are federally trained when they are not. Just because an organization receives federal money for training or even the development of a program, that claim is also False advertising and unethical. NSEAI receives federal funds for trainings but we would never allow an advocate to make such a claim.
Most currently licensed professions started with a national professional association offering board certification before the professional association petitioned a state legislature to required licenses. Don't be fooled by just a course certification!
WHAT DO YOUR CLIENTS WANT?
If a family requires the services of a consultant that specializes in education advocacy, they deserve to know that the one they pick is knowledgeable and a leader in that field. They do not want a novice with eclectic training that does not address all the cross training required to be a professional advocate.
Knowledgeable advocates assist in the development of a holistic, individualized and appropriate IEP, commensurate with the child's abilities, that results in measurable, independent, competency based, functional outcomes.
They must know how to assist the IEP team in the identification of a child's educational needs and barriers to accessing education, design of appropriate research-based interventions, understand federal and state education, civil rights and disability laws and regulations.
Some people who enter the field believe that if they have worked with one child successfully, taken a legal training, or gone to due process, they know what every child needs. As a result, they unwittingly put client safeguards at risk, offer information beyond the scope and sequence of their training, knowledge, and competency resulting in delays in educational progress for these children.
WHAT IS AN EDUCATION ADVOCATES SCOPE OF PRACTICE?
To promote safe, competent, advance practice in education advocacy and assure uniformity in minimum educational requirements. NSEAI has a PRACTICE ACT that is a PROFESSIONALLY DEFINED SCOPE of PRACTICE and GUIDELINES. These guidelines, as in many professions, usually become the future basis for a legislative statute when licensure is requested.
NSEAI, in February of 2008, was the FIRST nationally to develop and publish a Professional Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice Guidelines for Education Advocates to protect consumers. BCEATMs must adhere to an enforceable, mandatory Professional Code of Ethics and follow their Practice Guidelines, which define their profession. This was developed by a survey and a national committee of Education Advocates from across the country.
WHERE DO EDUCATION ADVOCATES WORK?
Graduates from the NSEAI Education Advocacy program work advocating with their clients in their own private consulting practices and in the:
NSEAI regularly gets calls from non-profit and governmental agencies
asking for qualified advocates to hire.
WHAT REQUIREMENTS ARE NEEDED PRIOR TO CERTIFICATION?
Board Certified Education Advocates™ are required to keep up with resources in order to continue their competency in the profession. Clients can relax knowing that the Board Certified Education Advocate™ today has had 80+ hours of direct instruction, 150 hours of indirect instruction, passed 13 - one-hour exams, and have done a field projects to prove their knowledge and training prior to applying for board certification.
Training prior to Board Certification is minimal and include 3 levels.
Those with NO experience in the field enter at a consultant level and may move up levels as they acquire experience.
Consultant level
Diplomat
Fellow
Practicum
IS A BOARD CERTIFICATION THE SAME AS A COURSE CERTIFICATE?
There are not any certifications or licensure requirements in any state for educational advocates. The key differences between these two credentials, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is that licenses are legally required by the government to work in an occupation while board certifications are not. A board certification is often confused with a certificate, which is often inappropriately promoted as certification. A major key difference is that unlike a certificate program after candidates pass the board certification exams, they will be awarded a professional designation that will be recognized and used to highlight their certified status.
LICENSURE
BOARD CERTIFICATION
CERTIFICATES OR CERTIFICATION RELATED TO A COURSE
The objectives of Board Certification are to advance special education advocacy as a professional specialty by:
IF WEDDING PLANNERS, EXERCISE INSTRUCTORS, CHOCOLATIERS AND PHYSICIAN BILLING OFFICE PERSONNEL CAN BE BOARD CERTIFIED
WHY CAN'T SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATES?
COMPARE!
NSEAI has produced courses each year, since 2008, updating the curriculum regularly (usually yearly) to make sure our students received the best education in the industry so to set them up for success as well as polish the skills of those already in their professional careers as special education advocates.
Our curriculum development committee and faculty have been trained by some of the top special education Related Service Providers, Educators, Researchers in Education, and lawyers in the country (some who have represented parents and some who have represented schools - so we get the issues). Many have been on our panel discussions. They have attended multiple state bar association trainings and conferences for lawyers entering the special education law field, and taken ALL of the national advocacy trainings available.
When we have compared other special education trainings materials and Syllabus they only cover 1/4 of the topics that NSEAI does and include areas unrelated to the practice of education advocacy. Why do I need to know how to research and write a legal brief if I am an educational advocate? Educational Advocacy is a stand-alone profession. We see many legally sufficient IEPs that are not producing sufficient progress or closing the educational gap because advocates and lawyers do not know how to use the complex IEP development process effectively. To learn this process requires training across all related service provider professions, as well as special education, current educational research, educational best practices, multiple laws, as well as clinically based research related to educational need identification and remediation.
WHAT IS THE COST?
The cost is less than $200 per full day of training.
Tell me where you can find a deal like that!
Just think of the money you save from tuition, not having to travel, or miss work. (In the past our students flew across country every 2 weeks to take our courses.) It also includes the foundation of your professional library with amazing resources. (2000+ pages that experienced advocates refer to regularly and thank us for - years after they have taken the classes.
Options for payment:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
Any questions - give us a call. We appreciate networking with experts within the field
WHO AND WHAT IS NSEAI?
The National Special Education Advocacy Institute (NSEAI) is a professional association for trained and Board Certified Special Education AdvocatesTM. We are dedicated to providing support, resources, and networking for advocates, as well as professional development, and continuing education for those seeking to become special education advocates, and to elevate those already in the field through board certification.
The Board Certified Education AdvocateTM (BCEATM) designation and status at the Fellow, Diplomat, and Consultant levels reflects not only an advocate’s education but experience level, recognizing them for the hard work they have put into becoming a professional advocate. This certification represents not only the advocate's passion for child focused - special education advocacy - that leads to independent functional competency based outcomes for students - it also reflects successful completion of a formal professional educational program in special education advocacy.
Consumers appreciate the ability to hire Board Certified Education AdvocatesTM, since they represent the highest standard within the entire industry.
NSEAI has produced comprehensive board certification courses each year, since 2008, updating the curriculum regularly, in this rapidly growing and changing industry, to make sure our students received the best education in the industry that will set them up for success as well as polish the skills of professional advocates.
As education advocacy becomes increasingly complex and challenging, the value of certification as a mark of excellence is more important than ever. Achieving certification demonstrates to clients and the public that a advocate’s knowledge, skills and abilities meet rigorous national standards, are child focused, must meet ethical standards, provide services for the purpose of optimizing educational outcomes.
WHY ARE WE HERE?
The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens. President, Jimmy Carter
WHAT MUST WE DO?
We must rethink and question the process of special education to ensure EVERY student is prepared for their transition to adulthood, successful careers, and a meaningful independent life. Parents need assistance in their continuing struggle to get their children an appropriate education. Students need the appropriate, legally mandated specially designed instruction and related services to succeed in school, and teachers need the appropriate supports to make a difference in outcomes.
Unique needs of each child must be identified, and individualized educational plans developed that result in positive results commensurate with the student's potential. Special education students must not be treated as a burden, or castaway. A deep dive into each student's unique way of learning, with accurate measurement of academic and functional baselines, is required to address educational barriers that stand in the way of improving opportunities and outcomes. This demands appropriate testing, proper diagnoses, and understanding of a student's unique presentation, traits, educational needs, and aspirations, so that an informed, individualized, educational plan can be developed with the appropriate research based educational tools vs. wasting a child's precious educational time by throwing spaghetti at the wall waiting to see what sticks.
We must identify and confront anything that does not improve a child's academic and functional outcomes. This includes structures, practices, systems, policies, laws and regulations that constrain the implementation of:
We must eliminate failing processes, funding and systems, especially those that mask or defend a school system's failure to provide FAPE. Special education experts and advocates are needed to facilitate a data-driven, child-focused approach with professional analysis, to deliver positive academic and functional outcomes.
WHAT IS NSEAI DOING?
Every child is precious. NSEAI is committed to maximizing educational outcomes for every student. Educational access is often hindered by hidden agendas, lack of expertise, and lack of supports for school personnel. NSEAI is devoted to resolving educational access issues by working with all stakeholders who are similarly committed.
We partner with all advocates, parents, individuals with disabilities, teachers, administrators, related service providers, lawyers, and state and federal representatives focused on raising school expectations and improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
WE ARE NOT A CLUB that allows some stakeholders in and not others. We are a professional association for education advocates. If you are courageous, persistent, and interested in working differently and more collaboratively, with ALL IEP TEAM STAKEHOLDERS, to created an individualized child-focused and effective education success plan for those with disabilities than JOIN US AT NSEAI
THE PERSON WHO SAYS IT CANNOT BE DONE
SHOULD NOT INTERRUP THE PERSON DOING IT!
CORE VALUES: