Take your Advocacy Skills to the next level with just 12 One Day Courses

ADVOCACY TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES

COURSE NUMBER:          200-ATP

 DURATION:                     18.8 hours

Lecture 7.80 hours 25 videos with out of class assignments of 11.00 hours 
Academic institutions may accept 1.88 quarter credit hours or a no-credit / non-certification grade per course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 This course offers a comprehensive introduction to professional education advocacy, equipping students with essential communication, documentation, and negotiation skills. Through an in-depth examination of advocacy roles, IEP processes, and legal frameworks, participants will gain the expertise to effectively navigate the complex landscape of special education.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including active listening, conflict resolution, and techniques for obtaining appropriate educational services. Students will learn to craft compelling letters, organize records, and prepare for IEP meetings, mediation, and due process hearings. Additionally, the course addresses the identification of unauthorized practice of medicine and law, empowering advocates to operate within ethical boundaries.

 Summary:
This comprehensive education advocacy course equips students with essential communication, documentation, and negotiation skills to navigate the critical and complex landscape of IEP development which can create truly meaningful and impactful educational plans that support an individualized, research- based program.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:

The skills and knowledge gained through this course will enable advocates to engage more effectively with school districts, secure appropriate educational services, and achieve better outcomes for their students. By mastering these essential advocacy tools, educational advocates can become powerful and influential voices in the IEP development process, championing the unique needs of their students and collaborating with school teams to create truly meaningful and impactful educational plans.

Related Additional Resources

Inspection and Review of Educational Records

Request for Copies of Educational Records

HOW THIS COURSE BENEFITS EDUCATION ADVOCATES:

Comprehensive Toolkit of Communication Strategies

• 
  Advocates will develop a robust set of communication techniques to effectively convey their students' needs, build collaborative relationships with school personnel, and persuasively advocate for appropriate educational services
• Advocates can utilize active listening, clear and concise language, and strategic questioning to facilitate constructive IEP meetings, ensure their concerns are heard, and work cooperatively with the IEP team to develop a comprehensive, individualized plan.

Negotiation Techniques:

• 
  Advocates will learn various negotiation strategies and tactics to navigate the IEP process, navigate disputes, and secure the necessary educational services and accommodations for their students.
• 
  Advocates can apply negotiation skills to advocate for specific inclusion of evidence-based interventions, specialized instructional methods, and related services in the IEP, even in the face of resistance from the school district.

Regulatory Frameworks:

•  Advocates will gain a comprehensive understanding of the relevant regulations, school district policies and procedural safeguards that govern the special education system, enabling them to leverage this knowledge to protect their students' rights and secure appropriate educational opportunities.
• 
  Advocates can use their legal expertise to ensure the IEP is developed in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), identify potential violations, and advocate for the school's compliance with the student's legal entitlements.

SPECIFIC SKILLS & STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY THE COURSE:

SKILL 1.  Crafting Compelling Letters:  The ability to compose well-structured, persuasive letters that effectively communicate the student's needs, advocate for appropriate services, and document the advocacy process.

STRATEGIES:

• Identifying key elements to include, such as the student's background, current levels of performance, and specific requests.
• Framing the letter to align with legal requirements and the school district's policies.
• Incorporating relevant evaluation data, progress reports, and other supporting documentation.
• Maintaining a professional, solutions-oriented tone to build rapport and influence decision-maker

 SKILL 2.  Organizing Records: The proficiency to meticulously maintain and organize a comprehensive record of the student's educational history, evaluation data, and advocacy efforts.

STRATEGIES:

• Developing a systematic file management system, both digital and physical
• Cataloging and cross-referencing relevant documents, such as IEPs, assessment reports, and communication logs
• Establishing a clear timeline of events and maintaining detailed notes on interactions with school personnel
• Ensuring the accessibility and availability of records for reference during IEP meetings and legal proceedings

 SKILL 3.  Preparing for IEP Meetings: The ability to thoroughly prepare for IEP meetings, anticipate potential challenges, and develop a strategic approach to advocate for the student's needs.
STRATEGIES:

•  
  Reviewing the student's current IEP and identifying areas for improvement or modification
• Collaborating with the student and family to understand their priorities and desired outcomes
• Researching best practices, evidence-based interventions, and accommodations relevant to the student's needs
• Outlining key talking points, questions to ask, and potential counterarguments to address during the meeting.

SKILL 4 Knowing What to Ask For: The ability to identify and articulate the specific services, accommodations, and support the student requires based on their unique needs and the available resources.
STRATEGIES:

• Analyzing evaluation data and identifying the student's strengths, challenges, and areas of need
• Researching evidence-based interventions, specialized instructional strategies, and related services that can address the student's needs.
• Aligning requests with the student's educational goals and the school district's obligations under the law.
• Prioritizing the most critical needs and advocating for a comprehensive, tailored IEP.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Understand key components of Educational Advocacy
Use of appropriate communication and negotiation techniques
How to know what to ask for
Questions you should ask
Advocacy Roles in IEP meetings, informal meetings, mediation and due process
Keys elements to good organization and documentation
How do we get to the key information and questions
Key elements to letter writing
Key elements in reviewing school records
Preparing for IEP development
ER/RR – Parent Letter of Attachment
NOREP/PWN parent responses- vs. agree or disagree
Filing a complaint with the Department of Education
Unauthorized Practice of Medicine
Unauthorized Practice of Law
How to Interview a Special Education Advocate & Educational Consultant
How to Interview a Lawyer

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
After completing the program, participants will:
•    Identify key components of Educational Advocacy
•    Define appropriate communication and negotiation techniques
•    Identify advocacy roles in IEP meetings, informal meetings, mediation and due process
•    Identify keys elements of IEP preparation, good organization and documentation
•    Understand what a practice act is and the Unauthorized Practice of Medicine and Law


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