IEP Training Course - Instructor Biography

IEP Training Course: Instructor Biography

Sandy Cook developed this course and is a graduate of the Georgia Advocacy Office's Parent Support Leadership Project. Sandy assists parents of children with Specific Learning Disabilities by teaching parents how to advocate for appropriate educational services.

Sandy struggled with reading comprehension and decoding as a child. In fifth grade Sandy received specialized instruction for reading decoding, but her reading comprehension difficulties were not identified until high school. Sandy received assistance with comprehension strategies and graduated from a high school for gifted and talented students.

Sandy graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1985 with a major in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Business Administration. She was employed by BellSouth Tele-communications for twelve years and worked as a Programmer-Analyst prior to becoming a mom. She is now obtaining a Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

When Sandy's son began elementary school, it was clear that he was struggling language-based learning issues and was eventually identified as having dyslexia. Through attempts to gain appropriate educational services from the local school system, Sandy learned how difficult acquiring needed instruction can be. When school administrators refused to provide appropriate reading services to the Cooks' son, Sandy and her husband filed a due process lawsuit to gain reading services. The outcome was favorable and the school system settled two days before the court date.

In retrospect, Sandy believes many of the clashes between parents and schools stem from lack of training for both parents and school personnel, and the child becomes a victim of ignorance. Direct training in schools and universities must be implemented to insure teachers and administrators understand children with disabilities and parent/child rights. Parents need training to understand their child's needs and rights.
Visit the Georgia Advocacy Office's Website to learn more about protection and advocacy efforts taking place on behalf of disabled and mentally ill individuals. You might find the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights site interesting as they are charged with protecting students with disabilities against discrimination.

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