This article offers 10 tips from parents to help other parents learn how to make a difference in their child's education.

In a world in which individuals are judged on the basis of performance, parents can be lured into believing that their worth is measured by their child's achievements. Parenting is not a competition. This outdated mechanistic model fails to appreciate the unrepeatable, precious uniqueness of every child and every parent. Nothing is more important…

This article is the story of how Traci Penland, the mother of three children, two of whom are deaf, stopped thinking of "the school"--the combined presence of teachers, professionals, support staff, deaf education specialists, audiologists, and administrators--as her enemy in her pursuit to help her daughter in her educational journey. A…

Advocating for deaf or hard of hearing child can be a daunting task … and intimidating. So many professionals around a table and the parent. What can parents do to advocate for deaf or hard of hearing children? Why is advocating for these child at school meetings important? As Apple says (2009), "There's an app for that!" The Laurent…

A literacy advocate supports or speaks out for someone else's educational needs or rights in reading, writing, and language. As a family member, you know your child best. You have seen your child's literacy skills progress over time. You can embrace your role as an advocate and learn how to work together with your child's school toward common…

Upstander parents look, listen, and take action on behalf of their children, going the extra mile to ensure their children get the education they need and deserve. For gifted Black students, this attention and advocacy can be essential to help them reach their full potential and overcome the social and psychological barriers confronting them at…

An educational advocate, also known as a parent advocate, child advocate, student advocate, or independent advocate, assists parents of students with disabilities in navigating the complex world of special education. This brief guide will help parents: (1) ask interview questions that will help get an understanding of an advocate's approach to…

"Autism at-a-Glance" is a series of practitioner and family-friendly documents created by the Center on Secondary Education for Students with ASD (CSESA) designed for high school staff members supporting students on the autism spectrum, as well as family members of adolescents with ASD. The purpose of the "Autism at-a-Glance"…

Families and educators can work together to ensure children have successful literacy experiences in and out of school. This is especially important if children have reading difficulties. Children with reading difficulties have specific instructional needs that are best addressed with a comprehensive approach to literacy development that includes…

Students now live at a time of instant access to cell phones, tablets, or computers, which open the door to exciting new ways of connecting, interacting, and learning. However, these new modes of communication also present new challenges for parents. Not only do parents have to help children and youth navigate in-person social situations, they…

In educational settings, where decisions must regularly be made related to what type and focus of services to provide, having a parent/caregiver advocate in their corner can be very important to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this article, the author presents how to best support families and caregivers who are disconnected,…

One of the most common questions the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) receives from parents is, "How should I advocate for my child in the classroom?" Dr. Joan Smutny first tackled this topic for "Parenting for High Potential" in 2002, but her practical, step-by-step approach is still very applicable today. Some…

Parents may gain insights from scholarly research on giftedness that can assist them in making key decisions affecting the education, future, and well-being of their child. The article looks at studies that focus on parents of gifted children and some of the issues they encounter. The research addresses such issues as: (1) Parents' role in talent…

The topic of special education can be confusing and frightening for parents who suspect their child has a disability or has difficulty learning. Parents in this situation want to know how to get help for their child. This guide is intended as a reference for people who have questions about special education for a child. It summarizes the basic…

The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…