What is a 504??b.u.m.p.A 504 is an individualized education plan for kids who are not in special education. It is not a part of special education and cannot be serviced by special education professionals. However if you have a kid who needs extra time to complete assignments for example, and can prove they need this, and the child does not qualify for special education, you can request a 504 plan to be written and then the school has to follow it. (Even harder to enforce than an IEP though if somebody doesn't do their job.) Nobody seems to know who is in charge of monitoring or regulating the 504s.thank you
Even if they claim that they thought that all along and you refused- you are not the only team member who makes a decision. Technically, they had to be in agreement with you for the 504 to be written in the first place.
Requesting a new assessment will buy you at least 30 days and it is doing things exactly by the book.
Parents can only be forced into something by a JUDGE. However, if you want a HEaring Officer or, eventually, a Judge to side with YOU, you must appear to be 100% cooperative. That means saying "yes" to any IEP meeting that is called as long as you CAN attend it (offer alternate dates if you can't). Do EVERYTHING by the book. If they retain counsel, YOU retain counsel. But adopt the attitude that you will cooperate FULLY in an effort to get your son FAPE. However, that only means that you have a cooperative attitude, NOT that you agree to something you really don't agree with.I started a new topic because this is somewhat a sideline issue to our major issue under my other post.
Can I be forced into a second IEP when we just had one 4 weeks ago? It was determined then that an IEP was not necessary and we all agreed to a 504. I received a call today from special ed director that they would like to have emergency IEP, new forms (so she said) that would better provide services for my son. I stated that nothing was going to happen prior to the break, tomorrow and I really didn't think we needed to waste everyone's time because I was happy with the accommodations. She thanked me for not wasting time especially before the holidays. I told her if she would leave me a copy of these "new" forms I would review them. An hour later I got a message that she was told to inform me that I must have an IEP meeting on one of the first three days back from the holiday break. I have not returned her call as of yet.
What to do??? Technically, I'm really unclear why we're having this meeting although I have an opinion. Do I have to choose one of these days or can I make it for the following week when it is more convenient for us? Should I request clarification in writing first before I agree to a date? Should I request the dates in writing first? It is in the best interest of my son to put this off as long as possible. What then is in my right to do regarding a second IEP meeting? My intent is to decline services anyway and continue with the 504. However, anyone have a thought on what action our decline will set in motion on the schools part? I've been told the schools really don't want to go to IDEA hearings. Which would seem the next logical step for them if they are trying to push services on my son that I don't want. (If your curious as to what the school district is really trying to do I have a post explaining under "HELP! Is there anything to do?")