It is important to know your child’s educational rights. Learn how to navigate the process here.
IEPs, 504 Plans, and College Accommodations Explained
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash For K-12 parents, your child may have been granted an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or a 504 plan. These are two different protocols that both intend to provide the services and resources that best match a student’s specific academic needs and allow them to have access to an appropriate education. If your child is enrolled in college, accommodations may have been granted through the Office of Disability services. Here is a quick overview on all 3 processes. Individualized Education Plan (IEP) The IEP is provided under the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA). An IEP is developed to provide a child with specialized instruction. In the IEP process, the child is evaluated by a “child study” or “IEP” team. You, as the parent, are a member of this team, and so is [...]
Are You Prepared For Your Child’s IEP Meeting? – Here is a checklist
It is time for your child’s annual IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting. While these meetings can often be a standard renewal of the modifications and accommodations granted under the IEP, remember that this is your opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. Let’s start with the purpose of the annual IEP meeting. Once your child has an IEP, a review meeting is held once per year, usually in the spring. Although IEPs can be reviewed and revised anytime throughout the year, most IEPs are reviewed annually in the spring. It is at this meeting that your child’s team reviews, revises, and updates the IEP for the coming school year. The “team” refers to the child study team. The study team is composed of the individuals who have been specifically assigned to provide your child [...]
The IEP or 504 is in place. Now what?
This article addresses the educational accommodations and modifications provided to P-12 students. If you are interested in college accommodations, see my article “College Accommodations: How to Make the Most of Them” The IEP is in place. The 504 plan is complete. Is your child off to a good start? When I meet with parents this time of year, I always ask, “ Do you understand your child’s modifications and accommodations?” In answering this question, parents almost always assure me that they have a firm understanding of their child’s plan. After all, they spent numerous hours attending child study team meetings, or speaking with the school’s 504 plan representatives. Why wouldn’t they have the confidence that the plans are in place and that they are ready to be implemented? […]
College Accommodations: How to make the most of them!
This article addresses the educational accommodations provided to college students. If you are interested in reading about educational accommodations and modifications for the P-12 student, see my article “The IEP or 504 is in place. Now what?” The long arduous process of acquiring college accommodations is complete. College has started and you are ready with an arsenal of support. Right??? Perhaps not. In my practice, I often find that college students don’t use the accommodations that the school has provided. What is going on? When I ask my clients about this, they often tell me “I don’t really know how to use them” or “My professor has not said anything to me.” […]