No one else cares as much or knows them as well as you do. But communication is more difficult when the atmosphere is charged. Here are a few suggestions to defuse the process of advocating for your at-risk teen and to make it more productive.
- Assess. Learn as much as you can about your kid’s situation before you talk to the principal or vice principal. Try to see things from both sides.
- Involve. Your teen should be an active participant in any meeting or decision.
- Communicate. Set up a meeting with the school administration and prepare for it ahead of time. What do you want it to accomplish? What’s the goal? Bring an objective adult to observe, if necessary. Take notes and make sure you’re clear as to any decision or next steps.
- Follow up. Send a letter to the principal outlining what happened in the meeting. If you weren’t happy with the results, describe why and ask to meet again. Or call the superintendent’s office and ask to speak with an ombudsman or pupil personnel representative. Document your conversations and keep copies of any letters.
“
Parents, Problems, and Advocacy: Effective School Solutions” is an excellent and in-depth article on advocating for your child with the schools.