For too many families, the language and culture of public education are confusing and intimidating, creating barriers that prevent meaningful and supportive collaboration. This can be especially true for both the parents of students who struggle and the parents of students who are high achievers. But it doesn't have to be that way. Schools should be a place where parents feel welcomed and a place where rules and practices are translated into language that parents can understand and relate to. Ultimately, schools should be a place where parents are provided the information they need to support and advocate for their children. If you are the parent of a struggling or high-achieving child, Advanced and Struggling Students: An Insider's Guide for Parents and Teachers to Support Exceptional Youngsters will teach you how to understand and be understood. Full of tips, strategies, resources, and real-life stories, this book will help you learn how to be a productive partner with your child's school and how to be an effective advocate for your child's needs.
Parry Graham has worked in public education for over twenty-five years as a teacher, principal, central office administrator, graduate school professor, and independent consultant. His previous books include How Public Schools Really Work: An Insider's Guide for Parents and Practitioners, the award-winning Building a Professional Learning Community at Work: A Guide to the First Year, and Making Teamwork Meaningful: Leading Progress-Driven Collaboration in a PLC at Work.
Acknowledgments Introduction Section I. Struggling Students: Why, For Some Kids, School is an Uphill Marathon Chapter 1: How Do I Know if My Child is Struggling? Chapter 2: I Think my Child is Struggling; How Do I Connect with the School to Get a Plan Started? Chapter 3: How Do I Make Sure My Struggling Child is Getting the Support They Need? Chapter 4: What Role Do Special Education and English as a Second Language Programs Play in Supporting Struggling Students? Chapter 5: How Do Schools Identify and Support Struggling Students? Section II. Advanced Students: Why the Most Successful Kids Often Get the Short End of the Stick Chapter 6: What Does it Mean for a Child to be "Advanced"? Chapter 7: How Do I work With My Child's School to Figure Out if They Are "Advanced"? Chapter 8: What should schools do to support advanced students? Chapter 9: How Do I Advocate for My Advanced Child? About the Author
