Advocacy Strategies for parents

• 1. You are responsible for advocating for your child.

     1. Although many schools have systematic identification measures, such as the Cogat in 3rd grade, your child may not be identified accurately. It is important to learn as much as you can about your child’s talent area. For example, if your child is especially talented in language arts, you’ll need to learn about options for students with those strengths.

     2. Look for outside-of-school opportunities to provide your child with opportunities to grow in their talent area. Weekend programs and academic summer camps not only provide excellent academic experiences but also give your child a chance to meet other like-minded peers. Check with the guidance department for opportunities in your local area.

  2. Talk to your child

• • 1. Ask often what your child does in class

    2. Ask if there are things they would like to see changed

    3. Ask them what they enjoy about their classes

• 3. Get political

• • 1. Know the laws and when laws will be voted on

    2. Know who your elected officials for local and state government.

    3. Write and call elected officials

• 4. Seek out enrichment opportunities

• • 1. There are several opportunities for gifted children but parents need to seek them out.

    2. Governor's school http://www.ncgovschool.org/

    3. Duke Tip https://tip.duke.edu/

    4. NC A&T summer enrichment http://www.ncat.edu/academics/outreach/sumcp/index.html

• 5. Talk to your child’s teacher

• • 1. Always set up parent conferences even when not asked to. It is important to keep an open conversation with your child's teacher to monitor their progress.

    2. Ask for supplemental resources which can be used for enrichment during the day and at home.

• 6. Keep documentation

• • 1. Keep email and letter correspondence

    2. Always follow up in person conversations with an email documenting the discussion

• 7. Understand ESSA and NC laws pertaining to gifted education

• • 1. Q & A about ESSA and gifted education: http://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Advocacy/ESSA%20Q%20%2B%20A.pdf

• 8. Understand the social and emotional needs of your child

• • 1. Gifted children have different social and emotional needs. It is important for parents to nurture these areas of development.

    2. SENG is short for Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted and is an organization that wants to help ensure that gifted children are understood, accepted, nurtured, and supported by their families, schools, and workplaces. http://sengifted.org/about-seng/

• 9. Become involved in a local parent organization.

• • 1. As a parent, it is important to connect with other parents in order to provide social interactions and enrichment opportunities for your child. Being involved with a local chapter of Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education allows your child to have enrichment opportunities.

    2. Rockingham County has a parent chapter. Learn more info on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RockinghamCountyPAGE/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

10. Build relationships with teachers and schools.

• 1. Understand that your child’s education is an ongoing process that requires a working relationship with teachers and schools. Be patient, create an honest relationship with teachers absent of entitlement. Be specific about your concerns/expectations, offer to volunteer or help with enrichment and communication frequently.

  2. http://www.nagc.org/get-involved/advocate-high-ability-learners/advocate-your-child