This book is an essential advocacy tool for all educators—not just those working with special education students. The authors’ 'rings of advocacy' approach provides a practical and thoughtful framework to implement when working through complex situations involving students, special education policies and laws, and difficult decision-making processes. Using these processes will not only support students as learners but will also bolster how educators demonstrate and share their expertise when navigating the complex processes that exist within special education today.
— Gretchen Oltman, Creighton University
Children benefit when teachers are empowered to act as agents of change. This book is a terrific road map for how teachers’ advocacy can make a meaningful difference in the educational experience of students with disabilities.
— Miranda B. Johnson, director, Education Law and Policy Institute, Loyola University Chicago School of Law; co-editor, Discipline Disparities Among Students with Disabilities: Creating Equitable Environments
This is a great book for any educator looking to make a difference in the field of special education. The authors share the 'rings of advocacy', provide multiple advocacy opportunities within each ring, and guide you through the process of advocacy at all levels. This book would make a great addition to any college course, professional development, or even school book study!
— Kathleen Boothe, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy is a key resource for many audiences—preservice teachers and administrators, working teachers and administrators, parents of children with disabilities, and advocacy organizations can benefit from this text. I especially recommend this text for survey courses in undergraduate and graduate special education and professional development for special education teachers and administrators. Each section has clearly explained content with up-to-date information grounded in realistic case study examples, and the tables and figures are well developed and support the content. Each topic area is covered thoughtfully with excellent connection to current research.
— Katrina Arndt, St. John Fisher University
As a parent, guardian, and special educator I found that The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy was an excellent resource for new and current advocates for the rights of individuals with exceptionalities. This book is a family friendly resource that explains complex topics of special education in a way that all can understand. I plan on adding this advocacy book to my Legal Issues in Special Education course required reading.
— Gwendolyn K. Deger, Westminster College
This book provides a much-needed resource for parents, school administrators, teachers, advocates, and anyone else who cares about individuals with disabilities receiving a quality education. With an understandable review of how the U.S. government passes laws, a history of advocacy and a description of its importance, Markelz, Nagro, Monnin, and Bateman explain advocacy in a way that allows it to be actionable rather than something one knows they should do but is not sure how. The five rings of advocacy clearly explain the purpose for advocacy in each area with practical suggestions for how to advocate within that ring. Busy parents and professionals need quick, easy, and accessible resources to learn how to best support individuals with disabilities. This book masterfully accomplishes that mission by explaining advocacy and providing easy-to-implement suggestions in which anyone can participate. This is a must-read for anyone who wishes to be better empowered to evoke positive change for individuals with disabilities.
— Ruby L. Owiny, Minnesota State University, Mankato; past president of the Teacher Education Division of CEC
The Essentials of Special Education Advocacy is a much-needed and timely contribution to the field of special education—for both current and aspiring special education teachers. Utilizing the all-important advocacy lens to explore and analyze significant issues in the field today—such as inclusion, equity and the teacher shortage—offers readers a fresh perspective and strategy for changing situations that need addressing. The authors provide an overview of existing research on the issues and practical real-world examples, bringing the book to life for readers and outlining a path for action.
— Jane E. West, PhD