Are you interested in becoming an Education Advocate?

Advocacy and Activism are terms that are sometimes confused because the roles they entail can be similar and overlap. Activism is defined as the theory or practice of assertive - often militant - action, such as mass demonstrations (or strikes) as a means of opposing or supporting a controversial issue, entity or person.  Advocacy is defined as the act of actively supporting, pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, an idea or a policy.

As an Education Advocate, you acquire the skills to negotiate the school system to get children with disabilities the appropriate education. An advocate working for a nonprofit organization can earn up to $60,000 a year, depending on her experience and the organization. Independent consultants can charge a lot more, up to $100 an hour.

About 14 percent of the school population, or 6.7 million students, are using special education services daily. That's up 20 percent from 10 years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Education statistics. Diagnoses range from dyslexia to bipolar disorder. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that the federal government will fund 40 percent of costs for disabled students. In 2007, it contributed less than 18 percent. Congress, the courts, local school districts and parents are debating how to deliver the best special education. Families with special-needs children are caught in the middle.

You must love kids, parents, teachers and even bureaucrats. Most clients are parents, but often you may consult with school systems. Advocates can work on their own, in small practices or for law firms that supplement their ranks with non lawyer advocates.

At K12 Advocates, we are offering trainings to anyone that would like to make a change for families and kids in the education arena. Our motto and style of advocacy is best described as "gentle persuasion, passionately applied".

If you have experience, or if, as a parent of a special needs child, you would like to learn to advocate for an education that will make a difference, please contact us about our training sessions. We will be happy to answer your questions and inquiries. Go to our blog site and register. Post your inquiries and we will contact you.