Do I need to tell school team I'm bringing an advocate

[Anonymous]

Do I need to tell the school team I'm bringing an advocate? At the latest school meeting the school team piled on additional team members (i.e. an OT who had done 1 observation and never worked with our child again) as a way of seemingly ganging up on us. Can I come with an advocate to the next meeting and not disclose this in advance?

[Anonymous]

No requirement to disclose, but in my experience, the threat that an advocate is coming makes teams shape up. So telling them ahead of time might be better strategy.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above. Teams seem to miraculously follow the rules much better when an advocate comes. Play it to your advantage.

[Anonymous]

You might need to sign forms required by your school district about you authorizing the team to speak about your child with this advocate present (information disclosure/release). Otherwise they may say we don't know this person, you haven't signed a release, can't meet right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might need to sign forms required by your school district about you authorizing the team to speak about your child with this advocate present (information disclosure/release). Otherwise they may say we don't know this person, you haven't signed a release, can't meet right now.

Most release forms are downloadable and could be easily filled out and signed right before the meeting, if you thought your school district might say that.

[Anonymous]

Please tell them. Things will work more smoothly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do I need to tell the school team I'm bringing an advocate? At the latest school meeting the school team piled on additional team members (i.e. an OT who had done 1 observation and never worked with our child again) as a way of seemingly ganging up on us. Can I come with an advocate to the next meeting and not disclose this in advance?

Have you expressed concerns regarding OT and/or sensory supports in the past? There would be no other reason for the OT to be at the meeting.

[Anonymous]

I would err on the side of professionalism and transparency so, yes, I've always informed the school when I'd be bringing an advocate. Re-printing the forms to include the advocate doesn't take long but since our meetings tend to be long anyway, it's also a time saver (especially since the advocate is charging 15 minute increments). This isn't to say that I don't understand what you're feeling. I, too, have been surprised sometimes by who shows up on the school side. After a couple of instances, I took the initiative to ask before the meeting who would be attending. I've used phrases like the following:

"Ms. Larla will be accompanying me to the IEP meeting to help me better understand the proceedings and findings. Who should I expect on the school team and what is their role?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might need to sign forms required by your school district about you authorizing the team to speak about your child with this advocate present (information disclosure/release). Otherwise they may say we don't know this person, you haven't signed a release, can't meet right now.

in my experience forms are not required if the person is at a meeting with you, the forms are for if you want the school to talk to someone or release records. We've never had to sign forms in two counties to have an advocate attend a meeting.

[Anonymous]

Agree to give the school a heads up - it makes a difference how they respond regarding meeting prep as well as initiating the meeting when they are aware another professional will be present.
I think the only time there is a requirement (and it may not be) is when parents are bringing an attorney, usually if parents bring an attorney the school system will require their attorney to be present as well.

[Anonymous]

We always tell the school who we are bringing along with the notification of intent to record the meeting.

If there are new people on the school side, I ask them to include how they know my child and how much time they have spent with them in the last semester. If they haven’t met my child, then I ask what their role is in the meeting. The answers are interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might need to sign forms required by your school district about you authorizing the team to speak about your child with this advocate present (information disclosure/release). Otherwise they may say we don't know this person, you haven't signed a release, can't meet right now.

in my experience forms are not required if the person is at a meeting with you, the forms are for if you want the school to talk to someone or release records. We've never had to sign forms in two counties to have an advocate attend a meeting.

In FCPS, we're required to sign a release before the school will speak in front of anyone not a parent or part of the school team. Everyone attending the meeting also signs the first page of the IEP.

[Anonymous]

Why would you not tell them? If you show up to the meeting with an unexpected advocate, that signals that there is an issue. Depending on the circumstance, they may cancel the meeting so they can invite someone from the compliance department. Why risk that? Just tell them, op.

[Anonymous]

I would tell them. You probably don't want the process delayed any longer that it currently takes. In our Maryland county, there is a place on the form for attendees so we see in advance who they are bringing. Also, if we bring our attorney, they will have their attorney.
I do highly recommend recording the meeting and in Maryland we have to give 24 hours notice.