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10/14/2018 Navigating the Education System: Empowering Parents for Effective Advocacy Terri Taylor Straut Jeffco Parent & Advocate President, Patrick Straut Foundation CAGT Annual Conference October 22, 2018 2 My Three Kids Happy At

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Terri Taylor Straut Jeffco Parent & Advocate President, Patrick Straut Foundation CAGT Annual Conference October 22, 2018

Navigating the Education System:

Empowering Parents for Effective Advocacy

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My Three Kids

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Patrick Brendan Emily

Happy At Home

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Caution!

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Back in My Day…

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Kindergarten

  • Parents don’t know what they don’t

know.

  • Teachers can help set expectations.
  • ID of GT kids EARLY is so important for

good outcomes.

  • Parents need help knowing when/how to

engage with school.

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How Some Schools See GT Kids

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Parent/Teacher Conferences

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Something Just Isn’t Right!

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Take the First Step

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10/14/2018 3 Navigating the Education System

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Knowledge

Collaboration Community Advocacy

In Reality, It Looks More Like This

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Knowledge

  • Educate Yourself on Gifted & Talented Issues

– Links to Some of the Best Resources are at:

http://patrickstrautfoundation.org/resources.html

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Structure of GT Advocacy

  • National Association for Gifted Children.

(NAGC.org) Washington, DC.

  • Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented.

(ColoradoGifted.org) Parker, CO.

  • Local CAGT Affiliates (17 in Colorado)

– http://www.coloradogifted.org/cagt-affiliates.html

Don’t get too hung up on the structure of your group, keep it simple and encourage participation and sharing information.

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GT Websites

  • SENG www.sengifted.org
  • NAGC www.nagc.org
  • CAGT www.coloradogifted.org
  • JAGC www.jeffcogifted.org
  • CO Dept of Education-GT

www.cde.state.co.us/gt

  • Institute for Ed Advancement

educationaladvancement.org

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  • Davidson Institute

www.davidsongifted.org

  • Hoagies’ Gifted Ed Page

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org

  • Jade Rivera

www.jadeannrivera.com

  • Gifted Guru

www.giftedguru.com

  • 48 Essential Links for Parents
  • edb.org/ilibrarian/50-

essential-links-for-the-parents-

  • f-gifted-children/

Source: http://patrickstrautfoundation.org/resources.html

Knowledge

  • Educate Yourself on Gifted & Talented Issues.
  • Attend district and other educational events.
  • Understand the school/district’s policies and process for GT

identification.

– Learn about the history and people who have been involved.

  • Leverage district/school resources.

(web pages, newsletters, parent sessions, etc.)

  • Leverage Affiliate and/or CAGT resources, NAGC, etc.

– Newsletters, presentations, articles, books, etc.

  • Know where to go for deeper research.

(Top 10 websites, etc.)

  • Understand the programming available in the

school/district (lots of vocab here).

  • This is on-going!

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Overview of Jeffco Identification Process

Cognitive Assessments Administered: CogAT, NNAT, KBit Body of Evidence Initiated Teacher and Parent Perception Forms (15 Traits) Teacher and Parent Perception Forms (15 Traits) Advanced Learning Plan Created when the following criteria are met: Cognitive Ability Cognitive Ability Academic Performance Academic Performance Programming At Neighborhood School At Neighborhood School At Gifted Center School At Gifted Center School

Source: Jeffco GT Parent Information Night, 2014 Neighborhood Schools Gifted Center Schools  Grade Level Content  Flexible Grouping  Content Acceleration  Content Differentiated  Advanced Core Content  Compacted  Pace Accelerated  Differentiated and Extended

1-2 (+) Identification Areas of Strength Multiple Areas of Strength

ALP Created Source: Jeffco GT Parent Information Night, 2014

What Now?

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Collaboration

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Image Source: Knowledgedesk.com

Questions to Ask Your Child

  • What would make school more interesting?
  • If you could change one thing at school, what

would it be?

  • When do you feel most excited about classes?
  • When do you tune out?

Source: Communicating Effectively With Your Gifted Child’s School. http://mcgate.org/…/…/Smutny-Communicating-Sept-2002- PHP.pdf 23

Collaboration

  • Assume positive intentions.

– Don’t assume teachers know more than you do!

  • Approach teachers and administrators with honest concern for your

child’s best interest.

  • Speak to experienced families.
  • Nurture relationships with decision-makers.

– They will take your call if you need to reach out! – Ask to be included in the MTSS process. (Multi-Tiered System of Support)

  • Use the 2 week rule at the beginning of the school year.
  • Help teachers understand your child’s learning challenges.
  • Keep explanations SHORT and SIMPLE.
  • Leverage what we’ve learned from advocates for Special Needs

kids.

– GT & SPED are on a continuum of needs regarding services.

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Community

  • Join PTA and/or School Accountability Team.
  • Get close to the decision makers, make sure they know who you are

and that you know what motivates them.

  • Talk to other parents about their experiences.
  • Talk students about their experiences. (Conference, Visit a GT

Center, etc.)

  • Jeffco GT HS Center.

– Every student does a 10 minute opener once a semester, passion areas. – Student Cards displayed by class include interests, strengths, etc. – Role of the Retreat.

  • Encourage GT students to be advocates for their programming.

– Help them own their programming. – They’ll be more appreciative of it!

  • Join or Create an Affiliate or other Advisory Group for

school/district.

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Community: WRHS GT Retreat

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Advocacy

  • Develop a Plan: Make sure you are clear about

what change(s) you are requesting.

  • Recognize Allies & Potential Opponents and

Resistance.

  • Keep at it, celebrate small gains.
  • Be aware of those who would dilute or

subvert the mission.

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Five Phases of Advocacy

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Image Source: WebJunction

Tips for Success

  • Offer something for free to engage.
  • Ask for volunteers at every event.
  • Follow through when they express interest.
  • Be clear about the mission and alignment.
  • Nip any Drama in the bud.
  • Provide resources to build knowledge.
  • Use technology to make outreach more effective.
  • Celebrate success.
  • Have a succession plan and rotating end dates for

key leadership roles.

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What Has Worked For You?

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Embrace “Just Different”

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Never Give Up!

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Resources on Advocacy

  • http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/advocacy.htm
  • https://www.nagc.org/get-involved/advocate-high-ability-

learners/advocate-your-child

  • http://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Parent%20CK/Smutny%20Commu

nicating%20Sept%202002%20PHP.pdf

  • http://sengifted.org/the-ultimate-plan-to-help-gifted-education-and-

improve-education-for-all-kids-in-the-process/

  • https://blogs.tip.duke.edu/giftedtoday/2006/09/01/knowledge-is-key-

advocating-for-your-gifted-child/

  • https://educationaladvancement.org/advocating-for-your-gifted-child/
  • http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10558
  • https://www.noodle.com/articles/your-gifted-child-in-public-school-

needs-you-as-an-advocate

  • http://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/know-your-childs-rights/5-

keys-navigating-school-system/

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Questions?

Terri_Straut@msn.com

720-252-9956

Website: http://PatrickStrautFoundation.org Blog: http://PatrickTaylorStraut.wordpress.com

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References

Aron, E. (1997) The Highly Sensitive Person, Broadway Books, New York. Bradley, T. (2008) Turning Down The Heat: Tips to Reduce Stress, presentation for Jefferson County Association for Gifted and Talented. Bronson, P. (2007) How Not to Talk to Your Kids: The Inverse Power of Praise, New York Magazine, (accessed 9/26/2013)

http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/

Cain, S. (2013). Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Cross, T.L. & Cross, J.R. (2010). Making Sense of the Suicidal Behavior of Students with Gifts and Talents. Cross, T.L., Gust-Brey, K. & Ball, P., (2002) A Psychological autopsy of the suicide of an academically gifted student: Researchers’ and Parents’ Perspective, Gifted Child Quarterly, Vol. 46, No. 4. Delisle, J. (1994). Dealing with the Stereotype of Underachievement, Prufrock Press, Nov./Dec. 1994 Issue. (accessed 9/20/2013)

http://joshshaine.com/interests/delisle.html

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References--Continued

Kuzujanakis, M. (2013). The Misunderstood Face of Giftedness, Huffpost Healthy Living,

(accessed 4/22/2013) http://www.huggingtonpost.com/marianne-kuzujanakis/gifted-children)

Lind, S. (2001). Overexcitability and the Gifted, The SENG Newsletter. 1(1)3-6. (accessed 7/20/15)

http://sengifted.org/archives/articles/overexcitability-and-the-gifted

Neihart, M. (1999). The impact of giftedness on psychological well-being. (accessed 7/9/13)

http://sengifted.org/archives/articles/the-impact-of-giftedness-on-psychological-well-being

Silverman, L., The Visual-Spatial Learner: An Introduction, (accessed 9/26/2013)

http://gifteddevelopment.com/Visual_Spatial_Learner/vsl.htm

Smutny, J. (2002). Communicating Effectively With Your Gifted Child’s School. (accessed 10/11/18)

http://mcgate.org/…/…/Smutny-Communicating-Sept-2002-PHP.pdf

Sword, L., Parenting Emotionally Intense Gifted Children, (accessed 4/6/2013)

http://talentdevelopment.com/articles/ParentingEIGC.htm

Sword, L., The Gifted Introvert, (accessed 4/6/2013) http://highability.org/the-gifted-introvert Webb, J., SENG, Existential Depression in Gifted Individuals, (accessed 9/26/2013)

http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10269.aspx

Webb, J., Amend, E., Webb, N., Goerss, J., Belijan, F. & Olenchak, R., Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children. Abstracted from: Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, depression, and other

  • disorders. (2004) Scottsdale: Great Potential Press. http://www.sengifted.org/archives/articles/misdiagnosis-and-dual-diagnosis-
  • f-gifted-children (accessed 9/26/2013)

Whitnah, S. (2008), Encouraging Your Child to Achieve, presentation for Jefferson County Association for Gifted and Talented.

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Suicide Prevention Resources

  • www.suicideispreventable.org (Mindy McCready)
  • http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-

depression/ (Focus on younger kids)

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  • Safe2tell.org (Anonymously report threatening behavior)
  • http://www.thesecondwindfund.org/ Local suicide

preventation, support counseling for at-risk children & youth

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