11/1/2010:
"This site has been a great resource. Before reading all of the comments, I
really felt like it was just 1moms fight for education. I have 2 boys
both with A.D.H.D. The oldest graduated he is 23. School was not always
easy for him. He was able to be active in sports and was able to fit in.
Our youngest son, 13 has struggled since his early years in childcare, as
young as 2 years old. I do feel that it is me against the school system.
I want to have positive relationships with my child's teachers, and this
can be a challenge when you are telling them that they are not meeting
your child's needs and their 504 plan. I get mad, I get sad, I have
jumped through all of the hoops that the system has asked me to do. It is
still the same, empty promises. I feel that they say what you need to
hear and notheing ever changes. My son has failed his core classes (math,
lang. arts, and social studies) and still gets moved along, it has been
that way since first grade. I feel !
that Act 60 No Child Left Behind, also should state No Child Pushed
Ahead. Form 1mom to others, dont give up."
08/23/2010:
" My question is ,If anyone can help me, is can you sue the school district
for civil right violations if they denied a 504 for my disabled children
with chonic nerological lyme disease after Jan. 1,2009. and are still
doing so. Even with doctors that specialize in the care of my children and
just disregard them. Thanks, for any imput. Class action law suites anyone
in florida we would be interrested."
03/1/2010:
"My child has ADHD and has had continued behavior problems in school. I was
never told about the 504, IEP or the RTI that are available. Now he has
been suspened facing expulsion. I want to know if these interventions are
in place then why are the schools not offering them to children that are
at risk. I would have never known about this had my child not been in
counseling with an outside source. How is this providing a equal education
opportunity for children with ADHD if the parents are not informed that
these options are available?"
01/4/2010:
"My grandson is in the Pennridge school district, Perkasie PA and they say
they are helping her to read, but will not implement a 504 or IEP. How
can they be made to act, find a lawyer? Please, need comments!!!"
12/29/2009:
"My 12 yr old daughter currently has had a 504 plan for a year. Now all of
the sudden I am told by the school principle that they (teachers) are
doing to much for my daughter. Who has now became a A/B student since the
504 plan went into effect. Our county coordinator is new and did not even
know what a 504 plan was before she was given the job. I need help no one
can tell me what my daughter qualifies for under a 504 plan. I need a
sample outline to present ."
12/7/2009:
"My son went to a very rich school, highly know for its acdemics in New
York state. He did graduate, but not before having a very hard time. He
was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 11,he is now 20. He was elligible for
special ed, (ie. help and more time on tests and such) but was NEVER given
it! I had NO support from the school what so ever! The papers from the
doctors were thrown back in my face. He was repetedly suspended, and in
trouble, and it was always his fault, not the other students. But he
somehow got through, because I cared enough to help him. I know of other
people in my situation in this and ended up pulling their kids out of the
school district and paying to take them to another school district. Now my
14 yr old is having problems (but she dosent have a disability). She is
currently suspended of the bus for a whole week, for not crossing the road
right. In this school, it all depends on who you are, and who your
sibiling are, on how you fair in school. Beleive!
me, the whol town is that way. I dont want to be petty, but I have no
idea where to go for help. My daughter now has no way to school, and need
to know my rights. This is an ongoing problem, and I am sick of it!!!! The
bus driver disobeys all the rules of driving the bus in front of the kids,
but when the school is confronted with this, they pretty much say the kids
are lying, or as it was put to me 'I wouldnt take much stock in what the
other kids say' Could some one pleas tell me where to go for info??
Sincerly,
and Thank You..."
11/6/2009:
"my child is on the 504 Plan - is the school required to perform tests WISC
and others - a college wants them and the high school says they don't have
to do them?"
09/14/2009:
"I found this article to be bittersweet. Disclaimer first-I do work for a
school district in the area. I think it is important for parents to
continue advocating for children to receive accommodations and special
education if it is adversely impacting their education.
However, much of this article seemed misinformed. The truth of the matter
is, those students who are LD and have IEPs are automatically covered by
section 504 protections...and always have been. This is not anything new.
To my understanding-only one major life activity needs be affected and
learning has been there well before this change was enacted-one only needs
to research prior versions of this statute.
IDEA and IEPs are mostly about providing specialized instruction as the
result of a student being identified with one of 13 educationally
disabling conditions in the Part 200 regulations and under IDEA. 504 is a
civil rights statute passed in 1973 that provided that accommodations must
be in place if an individual has an impairment that manifests a
significant life limitation (such as learning) and that limitation would
be manifest unless reasonable accommodations are presented (such as
extended time to take tests, reducing distractions for ADHD students,
etc.)
The biggest change that the recent passage has brought on is the
mitigating measures-the author here is correct. I also agree with the
author that parents who think a disability or impairment is affecting a
child, regardless of prior determination, should ask for a reevaluation of
their child. IDEA and 504 can be very confusing laws for those not
specifically schooled in them. If you have questions-check the Wrightslaw
page at http://www.wrightslaw.com and you will likely find many answers
that you are looking for."
08/19/2009:
"School wants to declassify 8th grade son from 504 & dyslexic to just
dyslexic. Said the district has reviewed their guidelines & doesn't feel
he is impaired enough to warrant 504 anymore. Sd the district routinely
classified dyslexic & 504 together so there are supposedly LOTS & LOTS of
students who w/b declassified this yr. (as if that will make me feel
better!!??) Also my son passed the TAKS & his grades were decent A's, B's
& C's so the counselor doesn't see the 'need' for the 504.This def affects
his learning although his grades in math/eng are 77/84. He receives
private tutoring in reading/Math since the summer of 2nd grade. He passed
the TAKS reading OK & math barely. Was also told that he does not benefit
from 504 anyway so why have the extra label on him..also was told all his
accomodations w/b provided to him under his dyslexic label anyways.
Please advise what I need to do if anything? How will being or not being
504 in High school/college affect him? "
07/21/2009:
"my son has dyslexia and ADD at low level and i worked for three years for
him help. he was special ed tested every year and passed but they dont
test for this disability. why i dont understand. after getting him on a
list for months he was tested from a outside source we found it. after 3
years of struggle and him repeating 2nd grade ( that he would have not had
to if school would have tested for this when i asked in 1st grade. also
after he had several friends make fun of him and still will not talk to
him.) at the end of this past year he recieved help in time to pass. we
are about to start a new year and i'm greatful for all the staff at his
school for putting up with me and my driven ways. just goes to show never
give up on a child and maybe others in our area will recieve help he is
the first in his school. the school and i will continue to work hand and
hand. "
07/16/2009:
"My daughter has been on a 504 for 4 years. The school (new school/new
district) has requested that we have her re-tested at Children's Hospital
Learning Services department to confirm that she still has a LD. Since
this is something my insurance only covered once, I hesitate to follow
through with this. Is re-evaluation by a medical facility something a
school can request? Would they be responsible for the testing fees? It is
time for us to review my daughters 504, what, if anything should I tell
thethe school? Her original diagnosis is Dyslexia, slow processing speed
and low phonemic awareness. Even though we have had remedial intervention
(at our expense) and she has shown improvement, she is not cured and still
struggles, especially with spelling and writing. I have also been told
that once a student is on a 504, that it can never be taken away. The
school seems to believe that it can. What is correct?
Thank you for your input and advice.
Janet Malerich"
07/16/2009:
"While 504 plans are very helpful and necessary, parents should also be
aware that accommodations are not a sufficient substitute for actual
skills. Some students are given accommodations but not instruction in
basic skills which would support their learning and become so wedded to
those accommodations that they are in fact hampered by dependence on them.
A balance between appropriate instruction and accommodations which allow
LD students to fully participate in an intellectual life is a worthwhile
goal. "
07/16/2009:
"my son was a classified infant and pre-schooler with a disability...adhd,
speech, o/t, p/t...
upon entering kindergarten he was declassified
in third grade he was found to need accomodations and granted a 504 plan
my school distric claims this entitles him o test mods and classroom
accomodations but not related services
true????????????????????"
