School vent...

[JoiseyMom]

DD14 starts HS in September. She has a 504 plan, due to her ADD. The other day we got a letter from the HS, asking for documentation from a certified child study team, a doctor or several other options for the continuation of her 504. Now I was colored confused, because silly ole me thought that the middle school would send her child study evaluations with her academic records . And silly me felt if they had that then what was it I needed to send. So I sent an email to them asking if the recieved her 504 documentation from her Middle School. So this is the response I got.

"Yes, her 504 was forwarded to us from middle school. It is the practice of High School to have all 504’s renewed only if there is new documentation from the child’s doctor stating that we should continue with the current 504 Plan. If you have any questions, yada yada yada"

Ok, fine, now if this is the case why the freak didn't they say this in their initial letter?? Why did they give other options, if this was what they wanted?? I can see HS with accomodations is gonna be a journey... guess my expericence with DD will prepare me for the one with DS and his IEP.

Guess I need to save all papers and document, document, document... Also need to call the pediatrican for a letter!

 

[AristocatFan]

That does sound weird. I'm a special ed parapro in elementary so I'm not really familiar with how it works in HS, but I do know here the middle school sends all documentation to the HS after the end of the year case conference. Yes, document everything. Parents who stay on top of IEP's and 504's are few and far between.

 

[JoiseyMom]

That does sound weird. I'm a special ed parapro in elementary so I'm not really familiar with how it works in HS, but I do know here the middle school sends all documentation to the HS after the end of the year case conference. Yes, document everything. Parents who stay on top of IEP's and 504's are few and far between.

It sounded weird to me too, which was why I sent the email. I think they do it so that ppl drop the ball and they don't have to provide the services. It seems very stupid to ask for documentation they already have, when that isn't what they really want. If you want ABC, ask for ABC.

I have a feeling I will be seeing more of HS over the next year then I did during the entire time our older DS's were there.

Hopefully since her accommodations are pretty basic, we wont have too many issues, but then again we had middle school teachers that didn't comply. Yeah..fun times ahead .

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DD14 starts HS in September. She has a 504 plan, due to her ADD. The other day we got a letter from the HS, asking for documentation from a certified child study team, a doctor or several other options for the continuation of her 504. Now I was colored confused, because silly ole me thought that the middle school would send her child study evaluations with her academic records . And silly me felt if they had that then what was it I needed to send. So I sent an email to them asking if the recieved her 504 documentation from her Middle School. So this is the response I got.

"Yes, her 504 was forwarded to us from middle school. It is the practice of High School to have all 504’s renewed only if there is new documentation from the child’s doctor stating that we should continue with the current 504 Plan. If you have any questions, yada yada yada"

Ok, fine, now if this is the case why the freak didn't they say this in their initial letter?? Why did they give other options, if this was what they wanted?? I can see HS with accomodations is gonna be a journey... guess my expericence with DD will prepare me for the one with DS and his IEP.

Guess I need to save all papers and document, document, document... Also need to call the pediatrican for a letter!

Yep. Not only save papers but photocopy as well.

HS is more of a "student is in charge" mentality, so if your child needs some help you have to be looking ahead for her. Good Luck

 

[daughtersrus]

Is the high school in the same school district as the middle school? Our district is "unified" (early childhood-high school). My DD has an IEP and we've never had to gather any of the paperwork. It's all done by the social worker at DD's "home school" (the school that she would attend if not on an IEP). DD currently attends a private school at our school district's expense and the social worker from our local high school is her case manager and is in charge of all of her IEPs.

 

[tvguy]

Well, I knew nothing about the 504 program until this post, but doing some research, I think this is the reason for the reevaluation.

I suspect a change in schools qualifies as a "significant change in placement" .
Also, is your middle school 3 years? Under federal law a re-evaluation is required every 3 years. That may be a second reason.


How often will my child be re-evaluated?
While there are no specific time lines on this issue, students must be re-evaluated at least every three years or whenever there is going to be a “significant change in placement.” The campus 504 committee should re-evaluate your child’s plan every year to make sure that his or her accommodation plan is appropriate based on their current schedule and individual needs. The accommodation plan may be revised at any time during the school year if needed.

FROM: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/legal-rights/section-504.gs?content=868&page=all

 

[cntrygal]

This is why i am lucky to live in a small rural area, no problems with my sons 504, Head Start-grade 12 is all in the same building, just down a different hall K ans seniors eat in the cafeteria at the same time. Same CSE chair through the whole process, she would only have to hand it to herself

 

[JoiseyMom]

Is the high school in the same school district as the middle school? Our district is "unified" (early childhood-high school). My DD has an IEP and we've never had to gather any of the paperwork. It's all done by the social worker at DD's "home school" (the school that she would attend if not on an IEP). DD currently attends a private school at our school district's expense and the social worker from our local high school is her case manager and is in charge of all of her IEPs.

The HS is in my town, but our HS's are part of a regional HS district...so many towns and their HS's.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Well, I knew nothing about the 504 program until this post, but doing some research, I think this is the reason for the reevaluation.

I suspect a change in schools qualifies as a "significant change in placement" .
Also, is your middle school 3 years? Under federal law a re-evaluation is required every 3 years. That may be a second reason.


How often will my child be re-evaluated?
While there are no specific time lines on this issue, students must be re-evaluated at least every three years or whenever there is going to be a “significant change in placement.” The campus 504 committee should re-evaluate your child’s plan every year to make sure that his or her accommodation plan is appropriate based on their current schedule and individual needs. The accommodation plan may be revised at any time during the school year if needed.

FROM: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/legal-rights/section-504.gs?content=868&page=all

Well our middle school is 2 years, but ever since DD has had a 504 we have had a meeting every year in the schools to see if all is good and what we may need to change. And in all the years we have done this, unless something has changed for DD in meds or such, we haven't had to send in any more medical forms. We just updated the school on our own.

This is different, the letter asked for 1 of several different forms of documentation, even though they had one that they asked for. What they want though, and should have asked for straight out is a letter from her doctor stating that she still has ADD and needs her 504 accommodations to succeed in school.

I will request the letter from the doctor this week.

 

[creativeamanda]

A doctor must verify continued need of a 504 plan. I'm a special education teacher, and we have similar situations all the time: a child has asthma, but no longer needs a 504 plan; a high school student no longer needs a 504 plan because therapy has been successful in fixing attention problems. This is not a high school out to get you. This is the high school making sure that they are following the letter of law and providing your child with the most appropriate services. You've heard of a Least Restrictive Environment, right? If your child were to receive too many services, the school is in violation of your child's LRE. Further, was there a high school professional at the spring 504 meeting? If not, then the high school is doing everything it can to ensure services your child receives is the best ones they can provide.

 

[agnes!]

I would try to find a parent who has experience dealing with the HS recently (as in this past year) re:504s, etc. Find out if there are good guys or bad guys/admins who help (or who don't)/etc... Most of all, get some advice from an experienced hand.

Good luck.
agnes!

 

[minkydog]

You've heard of a Least Restrictive Environment, right? If your child were to receive too many services, the school is in violation of your child's LRE. .

Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. Just the idea that my child could get too many services. Yeah, like THAT'll ever happen.

 

[JoiseyMom]

A doctor must verify continued need of a 504 plan. I'm a special education teacher, and we have similar situations all the time: a child has asthma, but no longer needs a 504 plan; a high school student no longer needs a 504 plan because therapy has been successful in fixing attention problems. This is not a high school out to get you. This is the high school making sure that they are following the letter of law and providing your child with the most appropriate services. You've heard of a Least Restrictive Environment, right? If your child were to receive too many services, the school is in violation of your child's LRE. Further, was there a high school professional at the spring 504 meeting? If not, then the high school is doing everything it can to ensure services your child receives is the best ones they can provide.

My point was that they want a doctors letter, but they asked for other types of documentation as a choice, like her last child study plan, which they have. I am annoyed that they were not clear in what they wanted, they were rather misleading in what they wanted to be exact. That is what bugs me, not that they need the doctors note. And if they are going to be so misleading with this, I can just imagine what else they will be misleading on.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I, too, am surprised they're just asking you for documentation now. It seems a little late to be deciding whether or not they're going to continue her 504. Hopefully a letter from your peditrician will take care of it.

My DS15 is starting high school this year, too. He is on an IEP due to his Asperger's and attended a private school for middle school. It was all paid for by our school district since they didn't have an appropriate special ed program to offer him. Back in February, the private school called the new high school district and arranged a "transition meeting." It was attended by the private school staff, a rep. from the elementary/middle school district, a rep. from the high school district and my DH and me. We discussed our son's needs, his progress and the reason for his placement in the private school. The high school special ed rep. said we should leave him in the private school for the beginning of his freshman year to avoid a poor transition to high school. The new district would pick up the private school bills. We will tour some programs at the high schools in the fall and then decide the best way to transition him. It was all very easy! I was impressed that the process was started back in February and they didn't keep us waiting and wondering what was going to happen. I hope it keeps going this smoothly for the next 4 years.

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

I was under the impression that ANY child could qualify for a 504, not just those with medical/learning disablilities? That it is for children who do not qualify other ways for modifications? Wouldn't that be a medically based IEP if it were based on ADD/ADHD? Sp Ed people correct me, please, if I am wrong?

The reason I ask, is I can see that that would be necessary to renew an IEP, but why is the letter needed for ADHD if a 504 is for anyone?

Just wondering....

 

[JoiseyMom]

I was under the impression that ANY child could qualify for a 504, not just those with medical/learning disablilities? That it is for children who do not qualify other ways for modifications? Wouldn't that be a medically based IEP if it were based on ADD/ADHD? Sp Ed people correct me, please, if I am wrong?

The reason I ask, is I can see that that would be necessary to renew an IEP, but why is the letter needed for ADHD if a 504 is for anyone?

Just wondering....

A 504 isn't just for anyone, there needs to be a need/reason for it. MY DS has ADHD, but his issues are more then DD14 and he has an IEP. THe decision for what is needed is made by the CHild Study Team. The 504 met the needs of our DD so we were ok with that. Her accommodations are basic, but she does need them.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I teach high school in NJ as well and I can tell you that schools are under tremendous pressure from the state to lower their Special Ed numbers (IEPs and 504s) and due to budget cuts truly cannot afford to provide for the current number of students (which is growing as more students are tested). It sounds like they put this in place to weed out students who may no longer need services to save money. I just wanted to let you know it might not necessarily be indicative of a school that doesn't know how to handle 504s. I hope your child does well in high school and that once this is cleared up it is a great experience for you both!

MaggieMoo'sMom- sometimes a student will be issued a temporary 504 if they have broken a leg or wrist or something to allow for temporary accommodations such as oral responses instead of written or early release time from class so they aren't walking in crowded hallways. Maybe this is what you are thinking of?

 

[kaytieeldr]

My point was that they want a doctors letter, but they asked for other types of documentation as a choice, like her last child study plan, which they have. I am annoyed that they were not clear in what they wanted, they were rather misleading in what they wanted to be exact. That is what bugs me, not that they need the doctors note. And if they are going to be so misleading with this, I can just imagine what else they will be misleading on.

Actually, no matter how personalized it may have looked, it sounds very much like a form letter they would be sendng out to ALL entering students with 504 plans. I don't think it's misleading at all. They're not going through each student's records and checking off, "Oh, we've got this, let's write a letter to the parents telling them we need only ___".

 

[MoniqueU]

They require yearly physicals for all athletes at my sons high school even though nothing has changed. I view this as the same thing. No big deal to me. He went from a publc Jr High to a private high school and I did crack up when they called a month after school started from the public school asking where he was though. I guess apparently they enrolled him based on the fact he went to the local Jr High, people lie all the time about where they live to get in this school it shocked me that they thought he was enrolled based on just the fact he went to the jr High. IMHO they don't ask people for enough proof and paperwork for things. JMHO

 

[JoiseyMom]

Actually, no matter how personalized it may have looked, it sounds very much like a form letter they would be sendng out to ALL entering students with 504 plans. I don't think it's misleading at all. They're not going through each student's records and checking off, "Oh, we've got this, let's write a letter to the parents telling them we need only ___".

Well it's still misleading. ANy child coming into the school with a 504, had their Child Study report sent with their records, so if they already have them, and they just need to reaffirm the childs needs in the form of a doctors letter, then just say that .