Dealing with 504's and IEP's...

[mamajoan]

I have been dealing with 504s for over 10 years. I have dealt with various High Schools, Jr. Hi's and grade schools. I have never been met with as much animosity as I have with the 504 program director at dd-16 current HS.

I have backed away from dealing with her as much as possible. She just blows us off and says many negative things. Basically puts all the responsibility on us. I am ok with that but gee whiz... she really frustrates me to no end.

I just sent her an email regarding dd grades, teachers and 504. Program directer flatly refuses on having a meeting with all of the teachers present.
I always thought this was a requirement of 504.
I feel that if the teachers KNEW about the psych issues they may be able to help develop a good plan of action for their own class and DD issues.
Three of the teachers did not know how to best utilize the current 504 plans for their classes... I feel that one of them did not even know there was a 504.

anyway... I sent a copy of the email to the assistant principal and the principal. I did so because I think a 504 meeting is necessary to accomplish the best education possible for dd. This is the first time I have done this... I am sure that program director is going to flip her lid. I hated doing it because I am afraid it may negatively impact DD.. as program director seems to have an attitude with DD anyway.....

thanks for letting me vent as I sit here awaiting email from program director...

joan.

 

[dmslush]

Do whatever you have to do to get your daughter the best education possible! If the program director doesn't like it, well tell her that you would be more than happy to consult an attorney who specializes in educational matters. You go mom!

 

[Tuffcookie]

mamajoan,

DS, age 14 has a 504. This is his first year at the high school. I have contacted each one the teachers that has contact with him and given them information about DS's disability (Asperger's Syndrome). They are more than willing to help DS succeed in any way! I find it is much more helpful to establish a good line of communication with the teachers. They're the ones that see him every day!
Don't worry about stepping on toes in your role as advocate for your child!!!


TC

 

[agnes!]

First off... .

Now, a couple of thoughts...
There is always strength in numbers. If you get a physical meeting set up with this person, take someone else with you, preferably your DH or another adult family member. DO NOT GO BY YOURSELF, I cannot emphasise this enough. It is easier to put things off if the parent is seen as "just a mom" or "just a dad". If there are no other family members available, take a trusted adult friend who is somewhat familiar with the situation. Even if they don't say much, just having that other adult there *will* help.

Do you know any other parents whose kids at this school have 504s & IEPs? Get together with them if you can. They might have strategies for dealing with this woman/school system that have worked for them. At the very least it will help to talk to other parents who are dealing with the same issues.

Is this a completely new school system? I mean, is this school part of a move? If it is part of a system that you have been dealing with for awhile, could you perhaps contact the program director at her Middle School or her previous school? They might be willing to help you out, tell you which office to talk to and what your DD's Students' Rights are under the school system's codes.

You might want to post this on the Family Forum as well.

Good luck,
agnes!

 

[mamajoan]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the support. I usually can hold my own but was feeling a bit overwhelmed... as many parents often do.

I am pretty well versed in 504 etc. Thanks for all of the input and positive ideas!!!
This is sis's 2nd year at this HS-she is a junior-we moved prior to last year. Last year was pretty much a nightmare. I thank God for her social worker and her academic counselor (who is out on maternity leave this year)

I do email the teachers.Most are pretty cool with everything.. but getting back up from administration is necessary to the program. She has a very strict History teacher which is good.. but he is not a communicator. He did not returnany of my emails until this week regarding sis's grades... and only after the MSW spoke with him. The other teacher feels that accepting late work is unfair to other students. Which I understand but it should be discussed in the 504 as hording homework was discussed at the IEP last year. Therefore the hording problem should be addressed. She completes the work but does not turn it in... if I ask her for it when I am notified of missing work we talk about it and she will usually turn it in the next day.

She has made such enormous positive changes this past 4 months. Little things to outsiders.. huge things to us and docs. It is nice to see her smile about school again.

 

[kejoda]

You might want to consider talking with the District Sp. Ed Manager(or whatever they call them) after this meeting. Or if they refuse a meeting. Here in MN if you request a meeting they have to scedule one within 30 school days.

Stick with it MamaJoan getting this lady to do her job not only helps your dd but other kids at the school.

 

[missypie]

Feel free to vent away!

I sometimes wonder why some of these people have the jobs they have. At DS's ARD at the end of 7th grade, it was the Special Ed. coordinator who said that DS should not have special services...the other teachers thought he should have them. Jeez!

 

[katymae]

You go girl! Just keep advocating until you get what you feel she needs. And don't forget to get everything in writing. Also, on your emails be sure to cc yourself and choose the option to get a note once the email has been opened by the recipient. Here's some pixie dust for you!!

 

[donnajon]

My DS9 has a 504. Last year we had a teacher who was just ignorant about this. I couldn't get her to do things like send the spelling words home early. It wasn't major stuff but things that would have helped me help him. Also, she wouldn't sign the assignment book daily (which at times I couldn't read due to Ds's handwriting so it would have made sure he wrote it down properly). I was complaining about this to my sister. She is a special ed teacher and she said I could have a law suit so fast and they have to do this stuff! She said I could contact some kind of advocate and they would force the school to do it. It wasn't big enough stuff to make me want to do that. I just tried to call her but she wasn't home. I'll keep trying but 504s and IEPs are FEDERAL LAWS and they have to cooperate! My DS is ADHD and on the second nine weeks interim report card she actually told me to incourage DS it "remain on task"! And this was at a time that she knew we were having issues with medication. This year, his teacher was ADHD and was on a 504!!! WooHoo! So nice to have teachers that understand.

 

[Tuffcookie]

kejoda wrote:

You might want to consider talking with the District Sp. Ed Manager(or whatever they call them) after this meeting. Or if they refuse a meeting. Here in MN if you request a meeting they have to scedule one within 30 school days.


Excellent advice! There is alot of truth to the adage: The squeaky wheel gets greased!

Mamajoan,

My DS's teachers make allowances for him turning work in late (among other things). If that is what your son needs included in his 504, they should accomodate. If a student broke his leg and needed crutches, would they say only kids that can walk, unaided, may come to class? No, that would be ridiculous. And just because you can see one disability and not the other, doesn't mean you should disqualify them from help.

If they don't want to play nice, you show them your mama bear claws!

TC