What is Allied Advocacy & Advancement?

Allied Advocacy  

• a student-centered approach to ensure students have access to what they need by engaging stakeholders in a meaningful, productive, collaborative process

• starting - and continuing through - the special education process can be overwhelming for families and students. Understanding evaluation/IEP language and grasping the provisions of FAPE & IDEA is a linchpin for families as they navigate the continuum of supports and services available to meet their student's needs

• an effective plan requires supports that meet the student's needs now - instructional, academic, social-emotional, functional - and also requires intentional, consistent consideration of the student's future. For this reason, keeping a focus on student advancement is also key 

Advancement

• 'plan with the end in mind' - as our students advance through their school experience, each service, setting, course, accommodation, and goal should support their continued growth, preparing them for life after graduation

• ensuring students are their most independent, confident selves as they mature throughout their educational journey increases their ability to build meaningful, full adult lives. These skills need to be directly taught, mastered, and generalized at a unique pace for each student. Learning how to safely fail, problem-solve, self-advocate, and manage their responsibilities allows students to grow more comfortable and confident as they prepare for decisions about "what's next" after graduation

• development of these skills can increase the family's confidence and sense of security, knowing that their student is more equipped and better prepared to play an active role in building their future