Parent Advocacy

Advocacy

 

CADRE members also receive assistance with individual situations regarding their children that require immediate advocacy. CADRE staff and other parent leaders assist members in using an understanding of their rights and advocacy tools to present their own analyses and solutions. The goal of this component is to support parents in having equal power at the problem-solving table, and having the capacity to hold school officials accountable if needed.

 

While each situation is different and requires its own advocacy plan, support is generally provided through:

 

• Providing background research on the policies and procedures related to a school’s handling of a situation

 

• Having in-depth conversations with parents to understand their view of the problem, their primary issues, and the extent to which they want to advocate

 

• Assisting parents with letter-writing and preparation for meetings with school personnel

 

• Translating at meetings and any written communication as needed in order to ensure full parent participation

 

• Referring parents to outside professional services if needed and if possible (e.g., pro bono attorneys, counseling services, etc.)  Please see Legal Clinic for specific information on legal services that CADRE parents can access at the CADRE office. 

 

 

Due to limited capacity, CADRE is able to support two to four parents at any given time with individual advocacy situations that require direct, one-on-one assistance.

 

Examples of the issues around which we have helped parents advocate include:

 

• Explanations of grades, including sudden changes and requesting academic intervention plans

 

• Requesting student records Monitoring compliance with special education law

 

• Monitoring compliance with the Williams v. California settlement regarding standards for textbook availability, teacher qualifications, and conditions of school facilities

 

• Challenging decisions resulting in the unnecessary removal of students, such as prolonged stays in the dean’s office, suspension, absence due to lack of effective conflict resolution between students

 

• Lack of notification to parents regarding significant school decisions that impact their children’s educational outcomes

 

• Unfair treatment and/or harassment of students and/or parents by school personnel

 

 

Please call CADRE at 323.752.9997 or email us at info@cadre-la.org for advocacy-related questions and inquiries.

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