How to Advocate for Your Child’s Learning Needs in Catholic Schools

Introduction

Every child has unique learning needs, and as a parent, you are their first and strongest advocate. Whether your child needs extra academic support, special education accommodations, or enrichment opportunities, navigating the education system can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Advocating for your child means collaborating with teachers, understanding school policies, and knowing your rights. This guide will walk you through how to effectively advocate for your child’s learning needs, communicate with school staff, access available support services, and escalate concerns when necessary.

1️⃣ Understanding Your Role as a Parent Advocate

As a parent, you have a right and responsibility to be involved in your child’s education. Advocacy means ensuring that your child receives the right support, resources, and accommodations to succeed.

📌 Why Parent Advocacy Matters:

✔ Parents know their child best – strengths, challenges, and learning preferences.

✔ Teachers may have many students to support—your involvement helps personalize your child’s learning experience.

✔ The education system is complex, and parents must be proactive in ensuring their child’s needs are met.

📌 Your role is to work collaboratively with teachers and school staff to find solutions that support your child’s academic success.

2️⃣ How to Advocate for Your Child’s Learning Needs

📌 Step 1: Identify Your Child’s Learning Needs

Observe and document any challenges your child faces in school, such as:

✔ Difficulty with reading, writing, or math

✔ Struggles with focus, attention, or organization

✔ Anxiety or frustration with certain subjects

✔ Needing additional time to complete tasks

✔ Challenges in social interactions or self-regulation

📌 Use this information to start a conversation with teachers and request further assessment if needed.

📌 Step 2: Communicate Effectively with Teachers & School Staff

Building a strong relationship with your child’s teacher is key. Here’s how to ensure productive communication:

✔ Schedule a meeting early in the school year – Don’t wait until report cards to address concerns.

✔ Be specific about challenges – Instead of saying, “My child is struggling,” try “My child finds it difficult to complete math assignments because they have trouble with number sequencing.”

✔ Ask about existing support – Find out what strategies the teacher is already using and whether additional accommodations can be made.

✔ Stay respectful and open-minded – Teachers want to help; approach discussions as a collaboration, not a confrontation.

✔ Follow up in writing – After meetings, send a quick email summarizing key points and next steps.

📌 Tip: Attend parent-teacher conferences and school council meetings to stay informed about education policies and resources.

📌 Step 3: Request Additional Support & Services

If your child needs extra support, you can formally request accommodations, assessments, or interventions.

✅ Options for Support:

✔ Accommodations (e.g., extra time on tests, quiet spaces for work, assistive technology)

✔ Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) Support

✔ IEP (Individualized Education Plan) Development

✔ Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Psychological Assessments

✔ Gifted Education or Enrichment Programs

📌 How to Request Support:

• Start by speaking with the teacher or Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT).

• If additional services are needed, submit a written request to the school principal.

• Ask about timelines, follow-up meetings, and how progress will be tracked.

📌 Tip: If your child already has an IEP, ensure it is updated annually to reflect their current learning needs.

3️⃣ Parent Rights in Education

As a parent, you have the right to:

✔ Request an assessment if you believe your child has learning difficulties.

✔ Receive clear information about your child’s progress and any learning challenges.

✔ Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to decision-making.

✔ Ask for reasonable accommodations that support your child’s learning.

✔ Review school policies on special education and student support services.

📌 Tip: If you feel your child’s needs are not being met, document all communications and seek additional support through parent advisory committees.

4️⃣ How to Escalate Concerns if Needed

If you have raised concerns and do not see improvements, here’s how to escalate the issue respectfully and effectively.

📌 Steps to Escalate an Issue:

🔹 Step 1: Speak with the Teacher Again

• Request a follow-up meeting and ask for specific action steps.

• Show examples of your child’s struggles (homework samples, test results).

🔹 Step 2: Meet with the Principal or Vice-Principal

• If no progress is made, bring your concerns to the school administration.

• Provide written documentation of past discussions and requests.

🔹 Step 3: Contact the Special Education Team

• If the issue involves special education support, reach out to the Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) or school board’s special education department.

🔹 Step 4: Request a School Board Review

• If necessary, parents can escalate concerns to the school board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) or Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).

📌 Tip: Keep all communication professional and solutions-focused to maintain a positive relationship with the school.

5️⃣ Resources & Support for Parents

📌 School & Board-Level Support:

✔ Special Education Resource Teachers (SERTs) – Provide one-on-one or small group support.

✔ Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) – Offers resources for parent engagement.

✔ Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – Advises on special education programs and services.

✔ Catholic School Council – Parents can join to help shape school policies and programs.

📌 External Resources for Learning Support:

✔ Ontario Ministry of Education – Guidelines on student accommodations and parent rights.

✔ Local Advocacy Groups – Autism Ontario, Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO).

✔ Assistive Technology Programs – Access to text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and writing tools.

📌 Tip: Many school boards offer free parent workshops on advocating for students with learning differences—ask your school about upcoming events!

Conclusion: Be an Advocate, Be Informed, Be Proactive

As a parent, you are your child’s best advocate. Ensuring they receive the right support requires communication, persistence, and collaboration with educators.

📌 Key Takeaways:

✅ Start by identifying your child’s learning needs and gathering observations.

✅ Communicate with teachers early and often—stay involved in school discussions.

✅ Know your rights—parents have a say in their child’s education and accommodations.

✅ Seek school support programs such as IEPs, tutoring, and special education services.

✅ If necessary, escalate concerns respectfully through the proper school and board channels.

💬 What has been your experience advocating for your child? Share in the comments!