December 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: ABCS OF IEPS

BY REBECCA MCCLARY, SPECIAL NEEDS MOM AND PARENT ADVOCATE

SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMINOLOGY What is the difference between a 504 and an IEP?

Now that we are a solid nine weeks into the school year, are you wondering if your child could benefit from a 504 or an IEP? Maybe your son/daughter is already on one, but it does not seem to be working as well as you had hoped. Knowing the purpose and benefits of each can help you determine what is best for your child.

LEGAL RIGHTS: According to Understood.org, the 504 plan is an educational plan designed to give students with disabilities the same access to FAPE (fair and appropriate public education) as their peers. This plan protects the civil rights of our students under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If a child needs an IEP, this legal right is protected by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). These students are to be given the LRE (least restrictive environment) to learn in. This means schools are to provide the child’s education alongside their peers as much as possible.

While IEPs require parental consent to provide the individualized services, a school can put a 504 plan into action for a student by just notifying parents of any evaluations completed. If an IEP is thought to be the best plan of action, an ETR (Evaluation Team Report) must be completed and discussed in order to determine eligibility.

BOTTOM LINE: When someone asks me how to figure out if their child needs a 504 or an IEP, I always ask them what they believe is better and why. From there, I ask more questions and guide them to make the decision that they feel is best for their child. Remember: You know your child best! Seeking out a parent mentor can be a helpful tool to teach and guide you when making these decisions. I often say that if a child needs accommodations, such as a quiet environment to take tests in, an elevator key to access all floors, sitting in the back of the class to lessen anxiety or extra breaks to take medication or help with focus, then exploring a 504 plan could be a great option. Whereas, if your child’s disability is causing challenges with turning in assignments on time, needing extra support for daily lessons and tests, struggling to grasp concepts at grade level, or their social skills are proving to be such a challenge that it is affecting their ability to access their regular education, you may want to ask for an evaluation to determine if an IEP would help. Either way, send your request for evaluation/meeting to your school representative in written format.

HELPFUL RESOURCES: These resources are my go-to for reliable information. Education.ohio.gov — special education guide Ocedcd.org — Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities Wrightslaw.com

I know this is a lot. It is overwhelming. It is stressful. But I promise that advocating for your child will ALWAYS be worth it! Knowing your parental rights can be the difference between a stressful school experience and a smoother one. Changing the environment, not the child, is how we can make a difference in their educational journey.