If you're reading this then you have an identified gifted child - the child has a Gifted IEP - and you consider yourself very knowledgeable
about both the basics of gifted education and your child's gifted educational needs, and you are not very satisfied with how things
are going.
Parents in this category, generally, have read Chapter 16, the Pa. Dept of Ed's Parent's Guide, the BEC for Gifted
Education, and the Gifted Guidelines. Also these parents have done research into their child's particular gifted
needs.
Most parents in this category generally consider themselves more 'gifted-aware' than the other members of the Gifted
IEP team. These parents know a lot. They are trying to figure out the best way to apply what they know to
help their children, and their district is slow to respond, if they respond at all. This can be an intensely frustrating
experience.
I believe parents in this category should take a moment to refocus on what Chapter 16 means rather than
what it says. Understand how the regulations apply in their situation, and, from that basis, figure out how best to
take the next step, whatever step that will happen to be. Then explore this site for topcs that may be specific to your situation.
Effective
advocacy requires knowledge - both of your child and of the gifted educational system of which they are part. It also
requires a willingness to act. Hopefully, the information on this site can help you take what you already know and
make you more effective in your advocacy.
