Welcome to Coach!

COACH Educational Advocacy Services is dedicated to helping your child receive the best educational opportunity possible. Services are available to students in both private and public schools. Remember that even though you have chosen to educate your child in a private school, you still have rights and laws that can benefit your child. Services can assist you in four ways:

Identifying why your child is having trouble in the current school setting
Designing an educational plan for academic success
Representing your child's educational plan to school personnel
Assuring continued compliance with the designed educational plan

COACH Educational Advocacy can help you answer the following questions about your child:

Is my child in the right school and class?
Is my gifted child being appropriately challenged?
Is my challenged child being given every opportunity to learn?
Why is my child under-achieving?
Does my child need to be evaluated for Special Education or 504 Services?
Is my child with a disability being given every service dictated by his or her IEP?
Will my child make the needed transitions from elementary to middle school to high school and college?
Is my child ready for high school exit exams, standardized tests, SAT's, etc.
What is the right college for my child and how will I get all of those applications completed?

Activities that can be done by COACH include:

Listening to your current and past educational concerns and future plans for your child
Gathering information about your child's strengths as well as challenges
Review of all past and present medical, psychological and educational records.
Organization of existing records into easily-referenced notebook
Observation of child in school setting, interview with teaching staff.
Conducting needed educational testing.
Referral to other professionals to obtain additional testing, observations
Representation at school meetings, SST's, 504 meetings, IEP's, Suspension or Expulsion Hearings
Assistance with referrals to tutoring centers and test prep centers
Writing IEP goals and objectives to meet core curriculum guidelines
Filing a letter of concern to the school or a formal complaint to the State Dept. of Education.
Maintain communication with teachers and school administration to assure continued school success
Assistance choosing and applying to college.

Who Is the Coach in COACH?

COACH has been a project in the making for nearly three decades. Kathleen Edwards, COACH founder, entered the field of special education "accidentally" back in 1973. Her very first teaching job was at a private research institute in St. Louis, MO, by the name of Central Institute for the Deaf. The interviewer told her the job was to teach preschool to a group of language-disordered children. Edwards insisted she couldn't do the job, since her training was in early childhood education, not special education. The interviewer convinced her she could learn what she needed by taking free classes at nearby Washington University. She accepted the job and was launched headlong into the field she would grow to love.

" I would spend the first year teaching my kids, attending staffings, and running down to the library to look up some new terminology. Research tools and clinical experts were always at my fingertips. What a great environment in which to learn!"

After moving to Arizona, Edwards realized she needed to continue to learn about her students and began taking Master's level classes in Special Education with emphasis on Learning Disabilities. Upon completion of her Master's Degree, she began teaching as a Resource Teacher at Flagstaff Junior High School.

A highlight of her years in Flagstaff came in March 1981, when she was honored by the Arizona State Council for Exceptional Children as Arizona Special Education Teacher of the Year. It is prophetic to note that part of her interview with a local newspaper included this caution:

"The growth of special education has been tremendous. Parental support has increased; the school district has increased funds for special education. However, federal budget cuts and block grants without money specially earmarked for special education could hurt services to these students. We need to be even more of a watchdog for special education kids and make sure their needs are met." (Arizona Daily Sun)

Edwards completed a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with Special Education Administration emphasis in 1981. She used her combined skills and experience for the next twenty years by working with children, adolescents, and adults with a multitude of disabling conditions including autism, learning disabilities, mental retardation, psychiatric disorders, head injuries and chemical dependence.

Through these years she maintained that "watchdog" mentality, always looking out for the rights of the families she served. She has worked with private and public entities across the years, and has acquired a reputation for being knowledgeable, honest, and determined to find the best options for people with disabilities. As the parent of a special needs child, Edwards is especially sensitive to the dynamics and challenges, as well as the joys of parenting special needs children.

Edwards admits that sometimes all parents need a little extra coaching…herself included. When their son was born, Edwards and her husband decided that education was a big priority. They assumed that they had chosen the "best school" for their kindergartener.

"What a disaster that turned out to be" said Edwards. Not only did the school threaten to flunk the five year old, but also they would not make any accommodations to assure that he continue to love to learn. Needless to say, Edwards and her husband went in search of another school.
Luckily, they found a great school for their son that not only had high academic standards, but would also make needed accommodations for children with different learning styles. This private school was wonderful, and the parents also knew that they needed special education testing from the local Public school.

"This responsibility of the public schools is not well known" said Edwards. " Even though you have chosen to have your child educated in a private school, the public school which would be serving your child has an obligation to find local private school children who would benefit from a special education evaluation and service."

Edwards and her husband requested an evaluation from the local public school. The testing conditions and testing results were inadequate. Edwards and her husband filed due process, and the school district was found out of compliance. Independent evaluations were conducted, and the local school district paid for the assessments, found the child to be eligible for special education services, and began providing needed additional support to the private school to educate this child. That experience crystallized Edwards' resolve to found COACH.

Today, Edwards is proud to again serve people with disabilities through COACH Educational Advocacy Services. COACH is dedicated to working with families who are having trouble getting a good match between what their child needs and what the school is currently offering. COACH works with private and public school children who are gifted, underachieving or disabled.

The goal is to work cooperatively with school personnel whenever possible. The relationship you have with school personnel may be a long one, and the lines of communication need to be kept open. If, however, the school is not responsive, a series of interventions and legal proceedings can be implemented through COACH.

Along with her educational advocacy work, Edwards is in process of publishing several self-help guides for children with organizational difficulties in school. In addition, Edwards continues to offer trainings and educational seminars on working with children with special needs.

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			Welcome to Coach! COACH Educational Advocacy Services is dedicated to helping your child receive the best educational opportunity possible. Services are available to students in both private and public schools. Remember that even though you have chosen to educate your child in a private school, you still have rights and laws that can benefit your child. Services can assist you in four ways: Identifying why your child is having trouble in the current school setting Designing an educational plan for academic success Representing your child's educational plan to school personnel Assuring continued compliance with the designed educational plan COACH Educational Advocacy can help you answer the following questions about your child: Is my child in the right school and class? Is my gifted child being appropriately challenged? Is my challenged child being given every opportunity to learn? Why is my child under-achieving? Does my child need to be evaluated for Special Education or 504 Services? Is my child with a disability being given every service dictated by his or her IEP? Will my child make the needed transitions from elementary to middle school to high school and college? Is my child ready for high school exit exams, standardized tests, SAT's, etc. What is the right college for my child and how will I get all of those applications completed? Activities that can be done by COACH include: Listening to your current and past educational concerns and future plans for your child Gathering information about your child's strengths as well as challenges Review of all past and present medical, psychological and educational records. Organization of existing records into easily-referenced notebook Observation of child in school setting, interview with teaching staff. Conducting needed educational testing. Referral to other professionals to obtain additional testing, observations Representation at school meetings, SST's, 504 meetings, IEP's, Suspension or Expulsion Hearings Assistance with referrals to tutoring centers and test prep centers Writing IEP goals and objectives to meet core curriculum guidelines Filing a letter of concern to the school or a formal complaint to the State Dept. of Education. Maintain communication with teachers and school administration to assure continued school success Assistance choosing and applying to college. Who Is the Coach in COACH? COACH has been a project in the making for nearly three decades. Kathleen Edwards, COACH founder, entered the field of special education "accidentally" back in 1973. Her very first teaching job was at a private research institute in St. Louis, MO, by the name of Central Institute for the Deaf. The interviewer told her the job was to teach preschool to a group of language-disordered children. Edwards insisted she couldn't do the job, since her training was in early childhood education, not special education. The interviewer convinced her she could learn what she needed by taking free classes at nearby Washington University. She accepted the job and was launched headlong into the field she would grow to love. " I would spend the first year teaching my kids, attending staffings, and running down to the library to look up some new terminology. Research tools and clinical experts were always at my fingertips. What a great environment in which to learn!" After moving to Arizona, Edwards realized she needed to continue to learn about her students and began taking Master's level classes in Special Education with emphasis on Learning Disabilities. Upon completion of her Master's Degree, she began teaching as a Resource Teacher at Flagstaff Junior High School. A highlight of her years in Flagstaff came in March 1981, when she was honored by the Arizona State Council for Exceptional Children as Arizona Special Education Teacher of the Year. It is prophetic to note that part of her interview with a local newspaper included this caution: "The growth of special education has been tremendous. Parental support has increased; the school district has increased funds for special education. However, federal budget cuts and block grants without money specially earmarked for special education could hurt services to these students. We need to be even more of a watchdog for special education kids and make sure their needs are met." (Arizona Daily Sun) Edwards completed a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with Special Education Administration emphasis in 1981. She used her combined skills and experience for the next twenty years by working with children, adolescents, and adults with a multitude of disabling conditions including autism, learning disabilities, mental retardation, psychiatric disorders, head injuries and chemical dependence. Through these years she maintained that "watchdog" mentality, always looking out for the rights of the families she served. She has worked with private and public entities across the years, and has acquired a reputation for being knowledgeable, honest, and determined to find the best options for people with disabilities. As the parent of a special needs child, Edwards is especially sensitive to the dynamics and challenges, as well as the joys of parenting special needs children. Edwards admits that sometimes all parents need a little extra coaching…herself included. When their son was born, Edwards and her husband decided that education was a big priority. They assumed that they had chosen the "best school" for their kindergartener. "What a disaster that turned out to be" said Edwards. Not only did the school threaten to flunk the five year old, but also they would not make any accommodations to assure that he continue to love to learn. Needless to say, Edwards and her husband went in search of another school. Luckily, they found a great school for their son that not only had high academic standards, but would also make needed accommodations for children with different learning styles. This private school was wonderful, and the parents also knew that they needed special education testing from the local Public school. "This responsibility of the public schools is not well known" said Edwards. " Even though you have chosen to have your child educated in a private school, the public school which would be serving your child has an obligation to find local private school children who would benefit from a special education evaluation and service." Edwards and her husband requested an evaluation from the local public school. The testing conditions and testing results were inadequate. Edwards and her husband filed due process, and the school district was found out of compliance. Independent evaluations were conducted, and the local school district paid for the assessments, found the child to be eligible for special education services, and began providing needed additional support to the private school to educate this child. That experience crystallized Edwards' resolve to found COACH. Today, Edwards is proud to again serve people with disabilities through COACH Educational Advocacy Services. COACH is dedicated to working with families who are having trouble getting a good match between what their child needs and what the school is currently offering. COACH works with private and public school children who are gifted, underachieving or disabled. The goal is to work cooperatively with school personnel whenever possible. The relationship you have with school personnel may be a long one, and the lines of communication need to be kept open. If, however, the school is not responsive, a series of interventions and legal proceedings can be implemented through COACH. Along with her educational advocacy work, Edwards is in process of publishing several self-help guides for children with organizational difficulties in school. In addition, Edwards continues to offer trainings and educational seminars on working with children with special needs. Go to Top of Page