Advocating for Your Child's School Experience
Schools are not the same as they once were and every year the needs in our classrooms seem to become more and more complex. As school staff strive to do their best, they often report that they are “stretched thin”. I believe in inclusion and know that diversity in the classroom is an enriching experience for all, however there is a significant cost when there are more needs than staff can effectively, and safely, support.
Every teacher I know, myself included, goes above and beyond to create a classroom community of students who can learn from each other in a safe and joyful environment. The problem is teachers can’t realize this goal on their own. Regardless of how thinly we stretch ourselves, school staff simply can’t be everything to every student.
The way I see it, parents and caregivers need to work with school staff to advocate for all students. If you are a parent or guardian with children in the school system, I implore you to find out what is happening in your child’s school and ask about how you can help. Consider reaching out to your local MLA, the Minister of Education, School Board Trustees, Superintendent, and Principal to share your concerns and demand better.
Issues like class size, long waitlists, not enough specialist teachers, teacher and educational assistant shortages (this is an immediate concern!), outdated resources, budget freezes and a lack of materials are daily burdens that may be impacting your child’s educational experience.
Below are links to short presentations (5 minutes each) made to the Greater Victoria School Board Trustees in the last few years that are well worth watching:
Presentation by Shawna Wood (teacher)
Part 1:
https://youtu.be/phFa-vDltZQ?si=sOADkX4aKVfGsUGh&t=1597
Part 2:
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=OmZgbIi8z7xBM7iS
Presentation by Amy Read (teacher)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBGmnaBAHBk&t=1515s
Presentation by Winona Waldron
https://youtu.be/phFa-vDltZQ?si=MbcE1AkOzrdPbrF_&t=1237
Presentation by Carolyn Howe
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=xTLSoincxOMRcfIO&t=193
Presentation by Alexa Tuton (EA)
www.youtube.com/live/C5htdTSvMok?si=avaNwmFspXCKcHe8&t=912
Presentation by Jackie (EA)
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=H8ZezD24ULTDtr_g&t=464
Advocating for Children with Special Educational Needs:
Below is a list of websites and resources that may be helpful to parents and caregivers advocating for inclusion for their child with special needs:
Exclusion Tracker:
There is a strong parent advocacy group in BC called BCEdAccess Society. They are seeking to gather information on incidents of exclusion of students with special needs in public schools. Sometimes accommodations and modifications to a child's day are made because they are in the best interest of the student but sometimes they are imposed because services and supports are not available. Each child is unique and therefore determining if a situation is exclusionary is not black and white. Find out more by visiting the Exclusion Tracker website.
Book Recommendation:
If your child has a designation that requires accommodations or specialized services, you may be interested in the book Your Child’s Voice: A Caregiver’s Guide to Advocating for Kids with Special Needs, Disabilities, or Others Who May Fall Through the Cracks. The author, Cynthia Lockery, is from Vancouver Island and speaks directly about the school system in British Columbia.
Websites:
https://inclusiveeducation.ca/learn/right-to-education/
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/what-is-inclusive-education-2/
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/inclusive-education-handbook-6th-ed/
https://fivemooreminutes.com/strategies/
Every teacher I know, myself included, goes above and beyond to create a classroom community of students who can learn from each other in a safe and joyful environment. The problem is teachers can’t realize this goal on their own. Regardless of how thinly we stretch ourselves, school staff simply can’t be everything to every student.
The way I see it, parents and caregivers need to work with school staff to advocate for all students. If you are a parent or guardian with children in the school system, I implore you to find out what is happening in your child’s school and ask about how you can help. Consider reaching out to your local MLA, the Minister of Education, School Board Trustees, Superintendent, and Principal to share your concerns and demand better.
Issues like class size, long waitlists, not enough specialist teachers, teacher and educational assistant shortages (this is an immediate concern!), outdated resources, budget freezes and a lack of materials are daily burdens that may be impacting your child’s educational experience.
Below are links to short presentations (5 minutes each) made to the Greater Victoria School Board Trustees in the last few years that are well worth watching:
Presentation by Shawna Wood (teacher)
Part 1:
https://youtu.be/phFa-vDltZQ?si=sOADkX4aKVfGsUGh&t=1597
Part 2:
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=OmZgbIi8z7xBM7iS
Presentation by Amy Read (teacher)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBGmnaBAHBk&t=1515s
Presentation by Winona Waldron
https://youtu.be/phFa-vDltZQ?si=MbcE1AkOzrdPbrF_&t=1237
Presentation by Carolyn Howe
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=xTLSoincxOMRcfIO&t=193
Presentation by Alexa Tuton (EA)
www.youtube.com/live/C5htdTSvMok?si=avaNwmFspXCKcHe8&t=912
Presentation by Jackie (EA)
https://youtu.be/4TLtzQrXtVw?si=H8ZezD24ULTDtr_g&t=464
Advocating for Children with Special Educational Needs:
Below is a list of websites and resources that may be helpful to parents and caregivers advocating for inclusion for their child with special needs:
Exclusion Tracker:
There is a strong parent advocacy group in BC called BCEdAccess Society. They are seeking to gather information on incidents of exclusion of students with special needs in public schools. Sometimes accommodations and modifications to a child's day are made because they are in the best interest of the student but sometimes they are imposed because services and supports are not available. Each child is unique and therefore determining if a situation is exclusionary is not black and white. Find out more by visiting the Exclusion Tracker website.
Book Recommendation:
If your child has a designation that requires accommodations or specialized services, you may be interested in the book Your Child’s Voice: A Caregiver’s Guide to Advocating for Kids with Special Needs, Disabilities, or Others Who May Fall Through the Cracks. The author, Cynthia Lockery, is from Vancouver Island and speaks directly about the school system in British Columbia.
Websites:
https://inclusiveeducation.ca/learn/right-to-education/
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/what-is-inclusive-education-2/
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/inclusive-education-handbook-6th-ed/
https://fivemooreminutes.com/strategies/