Happy At Home Patrick Brendan - PDF document

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 Home Patrick Brendan Emily 3 4 Caution! Back in My Day… 5 6 1

10/14/2018 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 7 8 engage with school. How Some Schools See GT Kids Parent/Teacher Conferences 9 10 Something Just Isn’t Right! Take the First Step 11 12 2

10/14/2018 Navigating the Education System In Reality, It Looks More Like This Collaboration Knowledge Community Advocacy 13 14 Knowledge Structure of GT Advocacy • National Association for Gifted Children. • Educate Yourself on Gifted & Talented Issues (NAGC.org) Washington, DC. – Links to Some of the Best Resources are at: • Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented. http://patrickstrautfoundation.org/resources.html (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. 15 16 GT Websites Knowledge • Educate Yourself on Gifted & Talented Issues. • Attend district and other educational events. • • SENG www.sengifted.org Davidson Institute www.davidsongifted.org • Understand the school/district’s policies and process for GT • NAGC www.nagc.org • Hoagies’ Gifted Ed Page identification. • CAGT www.coloradogifted.org – Learn about the history and people who have been involved. http://www.hoagiesgifted.org • JAGC www.jeffcogifted.org • Leverage district/school resources. • Jade Rivera • CO Dept of Education-GT (web pages, newsletters, parent sessions, etc.) www.jadeannrivera.com • Leverage Affiliate and/or CAGT resources, NAGC, etc. • Gifted Guru www.cde.state.co.us/gt – Newsletters, presentations, articles, books, etc. www.giftedguru.com • Institute for Ed Advancement • Know where to go for deeper research. • 48 Essential Links for Parents educationaladvancement.org oedb.org/ilibrarian/50- (Top 10 websites, etc.) • Understand the programming available in the essential-links-for-the-parents- of-gifted-children/ school/district (lots of vocab here). • This is on-going! Source: http://patrickstrautfoundation.org/resources.html 17 18 3

10/14/2018 ALP Created Overview of Jeffco Identification Process 1-2 (+) Identification Areas of Strength Neighborhood Multiple Areas of Strength Schools Advanced Learning Plan Cognitive Assessments Body of Evidence Created when the Administered: Programming Gifted Center Initiated following criteria are CogAT, NNAT, KBit met: Schools Teacher and Teacher and Cognitive Ability Cognitive Ability At Neighborhood At Neighborhood Parent Perception Parent Perception School School Forms (15 Traits) Forms (15 Traits)  Grade Level Content Academic Academic At Gifted Center At Gifted Center  Advanced Core Content  Flexible Grouping Performance Performance School School  Compacted  Content Acceleration  Pace Accelerated  Content Differentiated  Differentiated and Extended Source: Jeffco GT Parent Information Night, 2014 Source: Jeffco GT Parent Information Night, 2014 What Now? Collaboration Image Source: Knowledgedesk.com 21 22 Questions to Ask Your Child Collaboration • Assume positive intentions. • What would make school more interesting? – Don’t assume teachers know more than you do! • If you could change one thing at school, what • Approach teachers and administrators with honest concern for your child’s best interest. would it be? • Speak to experienced families. • Nurture relationships with decision-makers. • When do you feel most excited about classes? – They will take your call if you need to reach out! – Ask to be included in the MTSS process. (Multi-Tiered System of • When do you tune out? 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 Source: Communicating Effectively With Your Gifted Child’s School. http://mcgate.org/…/…/Smutny-Communicating-Sept-2002- kids. PHP.pdf – GT & SPED are on a continuum of needs regarding services. 23 24 4

10/14/2018 Community Community: WRHS GT Retreat • 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. 25 26 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. 27 28 Five Phases of Advocacy 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. 29 30 Image Source: WebJunction 5

10/14/2018 What Has Worked For You? Embrace “Just Different” 31 32 Never Give Up! 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/ 33 34 Questions? 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 Terri_Straut@msn.com Press, Nov./Dec. 1994 Issue. (accessed 9/20/2013) http://joshshaine.com/interests/delisle.html 720-252-9956 Website: http://PatrickStrautFoundation.org Blog: http://PatrickTaylorStraut.wordpress.com 35 36 6