Making a Difference: Advocacy Competencies for Special Education Professionals

by Fiedler, Craig R.

• ISBN13: 9780205306299
• ISBN10: 0205306292
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: PRO ED

Summary

Making a Difference: Advocacy Competencies for Special Education Professionals is the only single comprehensive source on the role and responsibility of special education professionals as advocates for children with disabilities. Most pre-service educational programs only cursorily cover the topic of advocacy, leaving many to enter the field without the knowledge and skills necessary for effective advocacy. This highly specialized book fills this training void by presenting the competencies, dispositions, knowledge, and skills necessary to become an effective advocate. Pre-service and in-service educators are introduced to topics such as ethical disposition, special education law, dispute resolution mechanisms, interpersonal communication skills, collaboration skills, and conflict resolution skills. In addition, numerous vignettes and case studies throughout help readers connect text concepts to real-life issues. Compassionate and informative, this book helps special education professionals learn how to make a difference in the educational lives of children with disabilities. For special education teachers and administrators.

Table of Contents

All chapters include “Summary.”

I. INTRODUCTION.

1. The Need for Professional Advocacy in Special Education.
Advocacy Defined.
The Historical Legacy of Advocacy on Behalf of Individuals with Disabilities.
The Reluctance of Professionals to Serve as Advocates.
The Need for Professional Advocacy in Special Education.
Essential Professional Advocacy Competencies for Making a Difference.

II. ESSENTIAL DISPOSITIONS.

2. An Advocacy Disposition.
Dual Role Dilemma.
Characteristics of Effective Advocates.
Values Inherent in an Advocacy Disposition.
Developmental Phases in Becoming an Advocate.
Legal Safeguards in Professional Advocacy Work.
Factors Fostering a Profession Advocacy Disposition.
Advocacy Educational Issues.

3. An Ethical Disposition.
The Relationship between Law and Ethics.
Professional Ethical Codes.
A Personal Ethic of Caring.
Characteristics of Ethical Professionals.
Ethics in Professional Preparation Programs.

4. A Family Support and Empowerment Disposition.
Negative Professional Attitudes and Assumptions.
A Family Systems Framework.
A Family Support Disposition.
A Family Empowerment Disposition.
Advocacy Training and Support for Families.

III. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE BASES.

5. Knowledge of Special Education Law.
Sources of Law and Legal Research Tools.
Zero Reject Principle.
Nondiscriminatory Evaluation Principle.
Free and Appropriate Public Education Principle (FAPE).
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Principle.
Procedural Due Process and Parent Participation Principles.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

6. Knowledge of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Special Education.
Mediation.
Due Process Hearings.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Strategies in Special Education.
Additional Special Education Enforcement and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms.

7. Knowledge of School Change Issues and Strategies.
Advocacy Scenarios.
Barriers to School Change.
Intrapersonal Change.
Interpersonal Change.
Systems Change.

IV. ESSENTIAL SKILLS.

8. Interpersonal Communication Skills.
Variables Influencing the Quality of Interpersonal Interactions.
Barriers to Effective Communication.
Interpersonal Communication Skills.

Specific Interpersonal Communication Issues.

9. Collaboration Skills.
A Context for Understanding School Collaboration Issues.
Competencies for Effective Advocacy Oriented Collaboration.
Enhancing Group Decision Making Processes.

10. Conflict Resolution Skills.
Causes of Conflict in Professionals' Advocacy Efforts.
Destructive and Constructive Conflict.
Conflict Resolution Approaches.
Constructive Conflict Resolution Strategies and Skills.

11. Advocacy Skills and Strategies.
Types of Advocacy.
Advocacy Principles, Procedures, Skills, and Strategies.

12. Ethical Analysis Skills.
Examples Indicating a Need for Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making.
Relevant Principles for Ethical Decision Making in Special Education.
A Model for Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making.

V. CONCLUSION.

13. Special Education Advocacy Outcomes.
Advocacy Outcomes.
Summary of the Essential Advocacy Competencies Exhibited by the Four Special Education Professionals.

References.

Index.