Advocacy Strategies
Ten Advocacy Strategies for AIG
The following ten strategies can be useful and effective when advocating for gifted students. These strategies are not listed in order of importance. Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, or administrator these strategies can be helpful. At the bottom of the page a list of links and resources for further examination and research is provided.
1. Research: Know the educational policy written by the state, local district, and home school. Understand how they compare to other plans and programs in your state and bordering counties.
2. Join: Find local organizations such as PAGE to learn more about opportunities for gifted students. Involving yourself in such organizations can help create a network of advocates for students. Affiliation can also afford opportunities for students enrichment and social interaction with other gifted students in your area.
3. Know Your Role: Schools have a plan to identify and serve gifted students. However, parents need to know how their child is identified and what opportunities exist for your gifted student in his/her talent areas. Parent should also look for programs and opportunities that exist outside of the school setting to help develop and grow student talent areas. These experiences like summer camps, weekend programs, and peer groups will help students interact with like-minded peers.
4. Stand Up: Understand the varying needs of gifted students and learn what your district is doing to help meet those needs. Make sure to open the lines of communication between the AIG program leaders in your school system and yourself.
5. Connect: Create positive relationships with the school and teachers of your child. Be clear with those contributing to your child's education about your concerns and expectations. Make sure you stay patient and honest and offer to help in any way you can to enhance your child's educational experience.
6. Record: Create a running record of EVERYTHING. Keep track of notes, meetings, observations, research you've done, concerns, and ideas you want to share. This will make communication easier and ensure you have addressed everything you can think of regarding your students needs.
7. Equity: Be an advocate for all subgroups of students. Subgroups within the gifted world need a voice for each of them to ensure all aspects of the gifted learner are reached.
8. Stay Positive: Promote positive if in the gifted world. By celebrating successes in gifted education you can build a growing influential audience (teachers, other advocates, and community leaders) to help ignite the fire to create change.
9. Stay Current: Stay informed of the ever-changing policies, practices, and other information regarding gifted education. By keeping yourself informed you can help to ensure the constant myths about education and gifted education can be eliminated.
10. Have a Plan: Have a tentative plan created of how you and your gifted learners needs will be best met. Remember to be flexible and open about your plan. Schools can only provide what their funds and schedules allow them to do. Be open about your plan with all those involved in your child's education (teachers, administrators, AIG specialists, Instructional Coaches, your child).
Helpful Links:
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
NYS Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education