"Parent Advocate" vs. "Additional Parent Member"

What is a "Parent Member" of the CSE/IEP Team? What is a "Parent Advocate"? There is a lot of confusion around these two terms and they are NOT interchangeable!

An "Additional Parent Member" is not a term found in IDEA 2004. It's unique to certain states, New York State being one of them. You can find mention of "an additional parent member" in the New York State Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Part 200. Part 200.3(a)(1)(vii) to be exact.

Additional Parent Members are always volunteers. They undergo training offered by New York State Education Department (NYSED) and they must be the parent of a child with a disability (or a child who has been declassified within the past 5 years.) Their child can be a graduate, as long as they've graduated within the past 5 years. Parents must request from their school district, in writing, the presence of an additional parent member, at least 72 hours in advance of their child's scheduled CSE meeting. The additional parent member is NOT there to advocate on behalf of the parent. NYSED defines the additional parent member's role as, "...The role of the additional parent member is to bring another perspective as a parent of a child with a disability to the discussions and decision-making process. This individual can also help you to understand and participate in the meeting by explaining procedures, asking questions and clarifying information. " http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/formsnotices/meetingnotice/CSEmeetform.htm

A "Parent Advocate" however, is a professional that the parent invites to the CSE meeting and/or consults with prior to the meeting in order to navigate the IEP process. Unlike an additional parent member, the parent advocate can negotiate with the school district on the families' behalf. The right to bring a parent advocate stems from NYS regulations, Part 200.3(a)(1)(ix) "...other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding the student, including related services personnel as appropriate, as the school district or the parent(s) shall designate. The determination of knowledge or special expertise of such person shall be made by the party (parents or school district) who invited the individual to be a member of the committee on special education" According to Understood.org, a parent advocate's role may vary. They can, "....Negotiate with the school on your behalf

Facilitate IEP and other meetings with the school, including mediation

Advise you on educational services and supports

Recommend specialists, service providers, evaluators and school districts

Help you write letters to the school

Review your child’s IEP or 504 plan

Give you information about the law

Represent you in a due process or impartial hearing (allowed in only some states)

An advocate can’t:

Give you legal advice about your child’s rights

Prepare legal complaints and papers

Represent you as legal counsel in a lawsuit in state or federal court" https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/dispute-resolution/the-difference-between-special-education-advocates-and-attorneys Parent advocates do not need certification or licensing- in fact, according to the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), "...Currently, there are no federal or state legislative or regulatory guidelines addressing the educational or credentialing requirements for an individual to serve as an Advocate, nor to inform the practice of “special education advocacy.” It is, therefore, essential that parents are as informed as possible when selecting a professional Advocate." https://www.copaa.org/page/AdvocateTraining