In a recent blog, education leader Mariesa Grotto shared why parent advocacy matters more than ever in today’s educational landscape. As both an educator and a parent, she encouraged families to recognize that they play a critical role in shaping their child’s educational journey.

But once parents reach that realization, a new question often follows:

Now what?

Recognizing that something in your child’s education needs to change can feel overwhelming. Many parents know something isn’t quite right but aren’t sure where to begin.

The good news is that advocacy doesn’t require an advanced degree in education. It simply requires attentiveness, courage, and a willingness to ask questions.

Here are several practical steps parents can take when they begin advocating for their child’s education.

1. Start by Observing Your Child

Before advocating for change, take time to observe how your child experiences learning.

Ask yourself:

• Do they seem motivated or disengaged?
• Are they excited to learn or anxious about school?
• Do their strengths show up in the current environment?
• Are they able to ask questions and think critically?

Mariesa often reminds parents that education should support the whole child, not just academic performance.

A child who is earning good grades but feels overwhelmed, uninspired, or discouraged may still need a different learning environment.

Understanding your child’s experience is the first step toward effective advocacy.

2. Ask Questions Without Assuming the System Is Fixed

Many parents assume the educational system is rigid, but in reality, many schools offer more flexibility than families realize.

Advocacy can begin with simple conversations:

• How does the school support different learning styles?
• What options exist for pacing or enrichment?
• Are there ways to incorporate a student’s interests into their learning?

These conversations open the door for collaboration between parents and educators.

Advocacy is not about confrontation — it’s about partnership.

3. Look Beyond Traditional Solutions

Sometimes small adjustments solve the issue. Other times, families discover that their child may thrive in a different educational structure altogether.

Today’s families have more educational options than ever before, including flexible online programs and alternative learning models.

These alternatives can create opportunities for students who may not thrive in traditional classroom structures, especially through flexible online learning environments designed around each student.

As Mariesa often explains, education should fit the child — not the other way around.

4. Focus on Motivation, Not Just Performance

One of the strongest indicators of long-term success is not grades — it’s student motivation in learning.

When children feel curious and engaged, they naturally pursue deeper learning.

Parents can support motivation by paying attention to what excites their child. Whether it’s art, engineering, storytelling, science, or athletics, these interests can become powerful gateways into meaningful learning.

Education that connects with a child’s curiosity often leads to stronger academic outcomes over time.

5. Remember That Advocacy Is a Journey

Parent advocacy is rarely a one-time decision.

As children grow, their needs evolve. What works in one season may need adjustment in another.

The goal isn’t to find a perfect solution once and for all. Instead, it’s to remain attentive and responsive as your child develops.

Advocacy simply means staying engaged in the process.

A Growing Role for Parents in Education

Across the country and around the world, parents are becoming more involved in shaping their children’s educational paths. Families are asking deeper questions about what learning should look like and how education can support both academic growth and personal development.

Many of these ideas were also discussed in Mariesa’s recent conversation on the NorthStar Narrative Podcast.

This shift reflects a growing understanding that education works best when parents and schools partner together.

When families stay curious, ask thoughtful questions, and remain open to new possibilities, they create space for their children to thrive.

And that, ultimately, is the heart of parent advocacy.