S3E2 /// Parent Advocacy 101 — Fighting for Your Child’s Right to Read

In this episode, we explore the essential role parents play in advocating for their children’s right to read. From early concerns to navigating school systems and special education processes, families and experts share how informed advocacy transforms fear and confusion into clarity and action. Through parent stories, advocacy experts, and research voices, this episode shows how policy on paper only becomes real support when parents know their rights — and use them. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Parent and Teacher Danielle Morris — On being told to “wait and see” while her child continued to struggle Parent Jamie Beck — On realizing the system was not going to intervene unless she did Barb Orsi — Explains the power of documentation and educational records Amy Trombetti — Breaks down written requests and parent-school as partnership  Karen Mayer-Cunningham, Founder of Special Education Academy — Helps parents understand: The difference between interventions, 504 plans, and IEPs How written requests trigger legal timelines The role of Prior Written Notice School evaluations vs. independent evaluations Compensatory education when instructional time is lost Dr. Timothy Odegard — On the implementation gap, teacher preparation, and what it takes for literacy reform to actually work in classrooms Former Student Erin Connell — expressing gratitude for her mother’s advocacy Episode Themes: Advocacy as access — not aggression Why “wait and see” delays harm children How informed parents change instruction, not just outcomes The gap between policy passage and classroom practice Why documentation and written requests matter Call to Action: Parents: Document concerns. Learn your rights. Put requests in writing. Seek advocacy support when needed. Teachers: Partner with families. Advocacy isn’t an attack — it’s an invitation to do better. Advocates & Policymakers: Share this episode. Mentor parents. Systems change when silence ends. Subscribe to continue Season 3. Next episode explores what happens when the system sees the problem — and still gets it wrong. Sources & References Odegard, T. N., Hall, C., & Kloberdanz, K. (2025). Literacy legislation in practice: Implementation, impact, and emerging lessons. Annals of Dyslexia. https://link.springer.com/journal/11881 Kansas Board of Regents. (n.d.). Kansas Blueprint for Literacy: Aligning reading instruction with the science of reading. https://www.kansasregents.gov/about/kansas-blueprint-for-literacy/blueprint-overview Kansas Constitution — Article 6 (Education) https://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Constitution.pdf Kansas State Board of Education. (n.d.). Science of reading teacher licensure requirement & Seal of Literacy. https://ksde.gov/Home/Quick-Links/News-Room/Weekly-News/Reporting-and-Operations/ArtMID/6189/ArticleID/3563/Science-of-reading-teacher-licensure-requirement Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html Special Education Academy — Parent advocacy education & resources Karen Mayer-Cunningham, Founder of Special Education Academy https://specialeducationacademy.com   PODCAST MUSIC - SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Cody Martin - Innovation, Cody Martin - Retro Spirits, Grant Borland - Limitless, Louis Lion - Past Reflections, Markus Huber - Hoping, OneZero - Transcend, Reveille - Blaze of Glory, Shimmer - What We Call Home This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS