The Nemours Foundation (2010) states that because of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, updated in 2004, parents can be an important part of their child’s educational team and help develop and individualized education plan (IEP) if your child needs extra support. Children with disabilities, or developmental delays may qualify (The Nemours Foundation, 2010). An IEP allows the team to make goals for your child’s educational progression (The Nemours Foundation, 2010).
Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This Act prohibits discrimination based on disability (Durheim, 2010). According to section 504, public schools must meet the needs of disabled children as well as they meet the needs of nondisabled children (Durheim, 2010). If a child qualifies as disabled, then the school can put a 504 plan into place (National Resource Center of AD/HD, 2007). According to the National Resource Center of AD/HD (2007), some examples of 504 accommodations are:
1. Reducing the number of homework problems without reducing the level or content of what is being taught.
2. Giving the student a quiet place to work or a place without many distractions.
3. Providing clear and simple directions for homework and in-class assignments.
4. Giving tests in a quiet place and/or providing extra time.
5. Using tape recorders or giving the student a copy of notes.
6. Using behavior management techniques, including positive reinforcement.
7. Having a nurse or administrator oversee a student's medication.
8. Meeting with the school counselor.
9. Creating a notebook so that parents and teachers may keep each other informed of the child's progress or difficulties (para 12).
Durheim, M. (2010). A Parent's guide to section 504 in public schools. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/LD/school-learning/section-504.gs?content=868
National Resource Center on AD/HD. (2007). Educational rights for children with ad/hd in public schools (wwk4). Retrieved from http://www.help4adhd.org/en/education/rights/WWK4
The Nemours Foundation. (2010). Kids health. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html
It's important to study out each of these options and figure out what is best for your child, because you get one or the other. I found a copy of 504 accomd's & use it during my IEP's to help the teachers help my child. It's worked great this year in Jr. high.
ReplyDeleteyou can have an IEP and a 504, right? They have different purposes. 504 for medical problems including things like bipolar, and IEP for academics. Do you have to pick one?
ReplyDeleteWhen we started Jr. High, we were told that we could have one or the other NOT both. That was the school district talking, but I would be interested in finding out what the legal answer would be. School districts are concerned with the bottom line not always whats best for the child, so they do not tell you what you can legally do. It's up to the parent to research and PUSH for it sometimes.
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