Advocating for Education

I had the opportunity today to advocate for a student; a senior in high school who is due to graduate next week. This student had been identified as experiencing a learning disability and, as a result, had some academic struggles in previous years of high school. However, this student was quite determined to graduate with their cohort.

This student worked diligently all year, and successfully completed everything necessary to graduate on time. However, two weeks prior to graduation, the student was informed that, through no fault of their own, they would not be able to graduate.

I wish I didn't need to be so vague, but I have to protect privacy. Let's call it "administrative error". It was quite unjust; something that *should* have been prevented through a series of checks and balances that did not occur.

This is not my area of expertise (do I even have one?), but it is an area where I happen to have some experience. I understand the relevant policies, and I understand the student's rights.

As a family friend, I was invited to attend a meeting with an administrator, several school staff members, this student, and their parent. I brought federal, state and district level policy that applied to this situation, along with other relevant documentation. The conversation began with, "There's nothing we can do." Once the facts were presented and it became clear that I was familiar with the student's rights, the conversation ended with the administrator taking this situation directly to the district level, and the problem was resolved in three hours.

Later, the administrator thanked me for advocating for the student. I was told, "It made all the difference." Although this situation was unique, I couldn't help but wonder about other students who have experienced some type of "administrative error", but do not have a parent or friend who is able to advocate for their rights.

It would seem that school counselors, case managers, social workers, heck, even teachers ought to be doing the advocating. However, in a high-poverty school where each counseling staff member may be responsible for up to 400 students, what do we expect to happen?

I am not prepared to argue issues of school funding; it's too complex.

However, I do know funding is a serious problem at the micro level, where students aren't being served appropriately because a school just doesn't have the funding to ensure students are being served appropriately. It then becomes the student's, the parent's, the family friend's, problem to advocate for the student.

The state of Oregon has recently enacted a goal to have a 100% high school graduation rate by the year 2025. I know our local high school's current graduation rate is somewhere around 60%. So, how is this goal going to be met?

I don't present any solutions. I only know I was grateful for the opportunity to be at this meeting, aiding in resolution.

For this one student.

What about that student? And that one?