The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy

"The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy is a much-needed and timely contribution to the field of special education--for both current and aspiring special education teachers. Utilizing the all-important advocacy lens to explore and analyze significant issues in the field today--such as inclusion, equity and the teacher shortage--offers readers a fresh perspective and strategy for changing situations that need addressing. The authors provide an overview of existing research on the issues and practical real-world examples, bringing the book to life for readers and outlining a path for action. As a parent, guardian, and special educator I found that The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy was an excellent resource for new and current advocates for the rights of individuals with exceptionalities. This book is a family friendly resource that explains complex topics of special education in a way that all can understand. I plan on adding this advocacy book to my Legal Issues in Special Education course required reading. Children benefit when teachers are empowered to act as agents of change. This book is a terrific road map for how teachers' advocacy can make a meaningful difference in the educational experience of students with disabilities. Special education teachers play crucial roles in guiding students to become advocates for the accommodations they require to excel in school. This book defines advocacy as the art of leveraging resources and personal connections to improve the quality of education. It empowers teachers to consider advocacy a fundamental aspect of the profession. The authors' central contribution is the ""rings of advocacy"" model, which explores the potential reach of special educators' influence. Beginning with self-advocacy for teachers to secure the necessary time and resources for effective teaching, the model progressively broadens its scope. It explores how teachers can advocate for improvements at the classroom, school, state, and federal levels. Each level, or ""ring,"" is addressed in a dedicated chapter in which the authors clarify the policy issues at hand; identify key stakeholders; and offer practical, research-based solutions educators can pursue. As an introductory text on special education, the book offers historical and pedagogical context for key concepts such as Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). What sets it apart is that it invites educators to see these concepts as tools to support their advocacy through the rings of advocacy model. Highly recommended. Undergraduates; professionals; general readers. The first edition, published in 2008, was an excellent resource for play therapy supervisors. This second edition is a welcome addition to the field and a valuable source of updated information, useful for training, teaching, and clinical supervision in a variety of settings, such as academic, child welfare, training clinics, treatment centers, and private practices. It provides hands-on, creative methods for specialty supervision in play therapy tailored to those working with children, useful to both experienced play therapy supervisors and to other types of supervisory clinicians who practice with children but who are less familiar with play therapy theory and intervention. This book is an essential advocacy tool for all educators--not just those working with special education students. The authors' 'rings of advocacy' approach provides a practical and thoughtful framework to implement when working through complex situations involving students, special education policies and laws, and difficult decision-making processes. Using these processes will not only support students as learners but also bolster how educators demonstrate and share their expertise when navigating the complex processes that exist within special education today. This book provides a much-needed resource for parents, school administrators, teachers, advocates, and anyone else who cares about individuals with disabilities receiving a quality education. With an understandable review of how the U.S. government passes laws, a history of advocacy and a description of its importance, Markelz, Nagro, Monnin, and Bateman explain advocacy in a way that allows it to be actionable rather than something one knows they should do but is not sure how. The five rings of advocacy clearly explain the purpose for advocacy in each area with practical suggestions for how to advocate within that ring. Busy parents and professionals need quick, easy, and accessible resources to learn how to best support individuals with disabilities. This book masterfully accomplishes that mission by explaining advocacy and providing easy-to-implement suggestions in which anyone can participate. This is a must-read for anyone who wishes to be better empowered to evoke positive change for individuals with disabilities. This is a great book for any educator looking to make a difference in the field of special education. The authors share the 'rings of advocacy', provide multiple advocacy opportunities within each ring, and guide you through the process of advocacy at all levels. This book would make a great addition to any college course, professional development, or even school book study!"