ERIC Number: EJ1001804
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Be Proactive with Parent Advocacy Groups
Willis, Mariam
Parenting for High Potential, v2 n1 p14-15 Sep 2012
This article elaborates on parent advocacy groups, a key component in meeting the needs of gifted children. The case for parent groups couldn't be stronger--or more urgent. According to Nancy Green, Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children, "Quality gifted education exists in places where there are strong parent groups." Further, longtime parent group member and advocate Diana Reeves says, "The one thing I know to be true in all these years is that the voice of parents is the only voice that will be listened to consistently. Educators often cannot advocate because of job limitations, but legislators will listen to parents." Several states have organized resources for effective parent advocacy groups. All gifted education is local. Having state mandates to identify and serve gifted students is the first step, but not enough. Most states have a significant need for centralized decision making, increased accountability, and improved professional development so that teachers can support gifted learners when given the opportunity and tools. Parent advocacy groups create a local gifted community that serves to educate and advocate best practices for gifted learners. (Contains 9 online resources.)
Descriptors: Academically Gifted, Best Practices, Parent Associations, Advocacy, Student Needs, Parent Attitudes, Legislators, Decision Making, Accountability, Faculty Development
National Association for Gifted Children. 1331 H Street NW Suite 1001, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-785-4268; Fax: 202-785-4248; e-mail: nagc@nagc.org; Web site: http://www.nagc.org/php.aspx
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A