I'm interested in starting my own education consulting firm which specializes in assisting families who have children with special needs. I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia (on the eastern peninsula). I want to apply for grant money to help parents who can't afford such a service but I need to start with people who can and are willing and seeking adivice from an experienced special educator. Is there is a good market for such a business? Also, how much do people in similar fields charge? what do I need to consider?
2007-05-22 05:12:48 · 4 answers · asked by prtybrwneyez1 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
100% YES!! The problem is, most parents don't even know that the schools are screwing them over because they don't know the laws. So, they think the schools are right and don't fight them.
Parents don't know that there are advocates out there to help them.
Even though lots of parents do get advocates, lots more can't afford them. They probably don't know that each state has a special ed parent advocacy agency that is funded by the federal gov't. And they help parents for free.
Schools won't tell parents this becuase they want to keep them in the dark.
Go to www.schwablearning.org, and sign up for free to post on their parent to parent message board. This board has LOTS of parents that are being screwed by the schools, and lots of people there who will give you great info.
Good luck and you have a great idea in doing this, it is VERY much needed!
Oh yea. If you didn't know this, there are agencies out there who train people for free to become advocates.
2007-05-22 10:51:13 · answer #1 · answered by jdeekdee 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I do pay for a Special Ed. Consultant so that I may sue the school district where we live so we can get my child services she needs. I like our consultant, because she's very knowledgeable in Special Ed., she stands in for our lawyer when we need non legal issues dealt with, and she sits in on all my child's meetings and IEPs. Good luck on your business, but I would get experience with the Special Ed. field so you can best serve your clients.
2007-05-22 18:35:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you are, what your background is, and how much PR you do. I am a sped advocate/consultant. I charge $75/hour plus expenses such as travel expenses to travel out of the county I live in since I work in two states.
2007-05-22 10:50:00 · answer #3 · answered by starrrrgazer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay I would really like to help but I'm not into Special Ed. Why don't you get help from other experts. Go to sites where many tutors & retired teachers hang out:
1) http://www.tuitionplaza.com/tutoring/
2) http://www.tutor.com
3) ... and many more (use search engine).
Good luck!
2007-05-22 20:20:17 · answer #4 · answered by This is Jonathan Chan 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋