“Advocate” vs. “Professional Employee”: A Question of Priorities for Special Educators

A difficult situation arises for special educators when they are asked to serve as active advocates for handicapped children, while simultaneously being employed by a public school system, institution of higher education, or state education agency charged with responsibility for implementing various aspects of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Potential conflicts in roles are discussed. Numerous examples of “advocacy dilemmas” are presented, along with a variety of pertinent questions.