For Parents: How to be Your Child’s Advocate in the New School Year

The start of a new school year can be both exciting, and at the same time worrisome for both gifted kids and their parents.  New teachers, new classmates, and new experiences can be energizing and refreshing, but when gifted students find themselves in a situational mismatch between their abilities and the opportunities they are receiving, a parent can be the child’s best advocate for change.  

The National Association for Gifted Children offers amazing resources for families of gifted students including advice for advocating for their children. The full article can be found at
https://www.nagc.org/get-involved/advocate-high-ability-learners/advocate-your-child
but here is a summary of the big ideas for effective advocacy:

• Talk to your child about exactly what is going on in the classroom, and what your child would like to see change. Be as specific as possible in identifying your concerns, and be prepared with possible solutions.
• Be informed about what options exist within your district and your community. The gifted education coordinator in your district can be extremely helpful to you in understanding what is, and is not, going to be possible.
• When you share your concerns with school personnel, be diplomatic. Words like “bored” and “not challenged” can cause teachers to become defensive. Instead, focus on the things you have observed about your child as a learner, what your child already knows or can do, his/her passions, etc.
• Speak positively with your child’s teachers and administrative team. Complaining will not result in change, and may work against what you are hoping to accomplish. Acknowledge what has already been done for your child, and be a collaborative partner in developing a plan for the future.
• Be flexible and ready to “pitch in” as you work towards solutions. The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” is especially applicable when it comes to helping gifted learners reach their potential.
• Make sure all stakeholders (students, teachers, and parents) understand, and agree on, the next steps.  
• Don’t forget to follow up to make sure that the agreed upon next steps are actually happening.

On behalf of WATG, I wish you all an AMAZING school year!

Nicole Meier, WATG Board Member