Discover the Hidden Depths of Truancy vs School Refusal: A Crucial Insight Series

When you think of truancy, what comes to mind? Perhaps images of rebellious behavior, a child who is using drugs, or juvenile delinquency surface. How about a student with overall disdain for authority and the sarcasm to prove it?

What if I told you that for a significant number of students in the Truancy system, there's a deeper layer, a tangled web of unaddressed mental health issues intertwined with...

 Alternative Facts, Intentional Ignorance, or Misrepresentation

As a Board-Certified Education Advocate, I often work with parents who are understandably frustrated after attending numerous meetings with their child's school that seem to go nowhere. All parents want for their child is to receive the appropriate supports and services to succeed, yet far too often schools provide misleading or false information to avoid responsibility.

A recent case that came across my desk is a perfect...

504's & ADA do not = IDEA

LESS THAN 17% OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS IN POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS, ACCESS THEM.

Only 34% of special education students who go on to post-secondary education graduate within 8 years.

Students who started using available accommodations during their first year in college graduated 3.8 times more frequently than those who waited a year to implement them.

Do you think there might be a connection among those statements? Do you work with a student who...

For parents, advocates, and teachers IEP meetings can be overwhelming and even create fear. But, when provided with the right supports these fears can be alleviated.

Elenore Rosevelt said, "Do one thing every day that scares you." 

Well, parents of children with special needs go far beyond the call with that one! 

STRUGGLING WITH IEPs?

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS HARD!!

You are right, handling an IEP meeting should not induce high anxiety, demand pharmaceutical...

PARENTS NEED SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATES NOW

MJ Gore, Roy Lewis, Marie Lewis

Some people say the special education system is broken. It may not be broken as much as dysfunctional, ignored and not complied with. 14% of all children are in special education and 90% of them do NOT have severe disabilities.

• “A significant lack of school accountability, poor enforcement of existing federal laws, and systemic barriers have denied students their educational rights and...