Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Case Analysis

​

This is a data driven process, we utilize our professional understanding of the testing that has been completed, together we analyze your child’s educational needs, and determine what components would create an appropriate program for your child.  This understanding allows us to JOIN your voice at team meetings, and collaborate with the team to build an IEP that will work and close the gap between your child’s ability and their performance.

​

A Process Driven by Data

​

When parents first come to us for support, they are sad, or frustrated, confused, or angry…or just plain tired. We understand, and we know from personal experience the emotions that come with having a child who is struggling at school. Advocating for your child is almost always exhausting. We are here to support you through this process. We help you channel those emotions into concrete action steps to help your child.

 

Everything we do, every piece of advice we give, is driven by data. Through a comprehensive review of your child’s records, evaluations and conversations with you and the private providers you may be working with, we use data to form our understanding of your child’s educational history. It is information—not emotion—that allows us to develop a strategy to secure the supports your child needs. And if we don’t have the information we need, we will tell you how to get it. Data drives good decision making.

​

Understand your child’s rights.

​

Our extensive training, hands-on experience, ongoing professional development, leads to results. Further, our unique prior work experience in managing conflict, persuasive argument, facilitating negotiations, and fostering positive relationships—in combination with our vast knowledge of what works in education advocacy—makes us very good at what we do.

​

What Separates us from other Advocate Groups

​

Schools are happy to see us coming?  The truth is sometimes they are.

​

Let’s face it.  School teams are never thrilled when they see an advocate walk in to a team meeting.  After all advocates have more time to analyze and interpret the evaluations; they often have a greater breath of knowledge about special education law; and more often than not, the school has not been completely honest about the specific individual needs of your child.  I say this not to demonize schools, but to point out an ugly reality, there is just not enough money to go around, and the team is just trying to spread their resources around in the most efficient manner.  When an advocate enters the room, the team knows that the jig is up and that they will now be held accountable to create a specialized educational plan for your child.

 

Often this fear is what is expressed by parents who have never worked with an advocate before.  They fear that the school will retaliate against them or their child, or that the advocate will make it so uncomfortable in the meeting, that the parent will not feel comfortable giving eye contact to the principal ever again. 

 

We understand this fear, and it is simply not our style to enter a meeting with a tone of anger or manipulation.  Conversely we believe in the idea of collaboration.  Our main aim is to educate the school about your child’s specific educational profile, and bring both the parents and the team together for the purpose of creating the best experience for your child.

 

This novel approach of collaboration, separates us from the hordes of other advocates out there who leave scorched earth behind them.  School have told us nightmare stories of advocates who cause much more grief than good.  When we enter the room, these schools take in a deep breath of relief because they know that we are here to work with them and not against them

 

There are cases where this is no longer possible, and in those rare circumstances were the client is heading for a hearing, we will pull out all the stops to ensure that your child receives the education that they deserve.   

​

​