Your child's IEP or 504 plan in the time of COVID-19
Classroom parties, graduation, award ceremonies and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings are typically signs that the school year has ended, but this year has been very different. Instead, our kids had Zoom meetings, work packets, quarantine and face masks to deal with as their new normal. School districts, teachers, parents and students have all had to adapt to different ways of “doing school." But what does that mean for our kids with learning differences? Especially for those who need additional support, specialized teaching, therapies, and more.
If you have a child with an IEP or a 504 plan, how do you navigate this new normal? Do you feel that your child’s needs are being met and that your voice is being heard?
An (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law, and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution, receives specialized instruction and related services.
The 504 Plan has been developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law, and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution, receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.
Subtle but important differences
Not all students who have disabilities require specialized instruction. For students with disabilities who do require specialized instruction, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) controls the procedural requirements, and an IEP is developed. The IDEA process is more involved than that of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires documentation of measurable growth. For students with disabilities who do not require specialized instruction, but need the assurance that they’ll receive equal access to public education and services, a document is created to outline their specific accessibility requirements. Students with 504 Plans do not require specialized instruction, but, like the IEP, a 504 Plan should be updated every year to ensure the student is getting the most effective accommodations for his/her specific circumstances.
Hope Haven’s Center for Educational Advocacy can help by reviewing your child’s current plan and assisting with requesting changes that may be needed. If you suspect your child may have unique learning needs, we can help get necessary evaluations to determine if your child qualifies for services or accommodations in school.
A free 30-minute phone consultation is available to all families, and grant funding is available to qualified families for advocacy services, if needed. Call us at 904.346.5100, or find out more and schedule your consultation today at hope-haven.org/center-for-educational-advocacy.