Understanding Education Plans: A Parent’s Guide to 504s and IEPs
Ever feel overwhelmed by the stacks of info sent home by your kid’s school? Piles of homework, endless fundraisers, confusing test scores – it’s enough to make a parent’s head spin. Navigating your kid’s academic career is even harder if they have a learning difference that requires a special academic plan. Terms like “504,” “IEP” and, “IEE” can be daunting and parents often stress over which option is best for their kid.
So what exactly are 504s and IEPs, and how can parents determine the best fit for their kid? Let’s boil it down:
Both 504 Plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) outline customized strategies to level the playing field for preschool & K-12 kids with disabilities that challenge their academic success. The best option for your kid depends largely on the type of condition they have, as well as the extent that it impacts their academic success.
IEPs:
1. What does IEP mean?
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a blueprint outlining a child’s special education experience in school. IEPs are mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law ensuring Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for eligible preschool & K-12 students.
2. Who do IEPs work best for?
IEPs work best for students who have a disability or learning difference that impairs their ability to succeed in a typical classroom with the standard curriculum. For example, if a kid is diagnosed with Autism, they’ll likely have trouble processing lessons the same way as their neurotypical peers. After identifying how the child learns best, an IEP can outline specialized curricula, accommodations, and services to help them overcome challenges and reach their academic potential.
IDEA lists the following 13 conditions as eligible for IEPs:
Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorders, Nonverbal Learning Disability)
Other health impairment (an umbrella term to cover Executive Functioning impairments such as ADHD)
Emotional Disturbances (Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, etc.)
Speech or language disorders
Blindness or visual impairments where eyewear isn’t sufficient support
Hearing impairment where hearing aids aren’t sufficient support
Deafness
Deaf-blindness
Orthopedic impairments such as cerebral palsy
Intellectual disabilities that contribute to below-average IQ, such as Down Syndrome
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Multiple disabilities
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3. What are some common IEP accommodations and services?
Services and accommodations are based on a child’s specific needs. A few common IEP services & accommodations include:
Specialized instruction that focuses on improving certain skills
Assistive technology
Adaptive physical education
Speech-language therapy
Extended time on assignments and tests
Occupational and/or physical therapy
Behavioral plan
Parent counseling
An Educational Psychologist can recommend the most effective services tailored to meet your child’s unique needs.
Click here to learn about accommodation options for college and post-grad students
4. What’s the process for securing an IEP?
In short, you’ll need to request a school assessment to determine your child’s eligibility. However, there are steps you can take beforehand to increase their chance of being approved. Start tracking your kid’s symptoms – keep a log of their grades and document teacher and doctor communications on behavioral and academic issues. Take note of what has and hasn’t worked for them in school. Have your child evaluated by an Educational Psychologist to determine a clear diagnosis and provide academic recommendations. Taking these steps will equip you to be prepared and informed when you meet with the school.
5. Who would develop my kid’s IEP?
IEPs have strict requirements for who must be involved in the plan’s development and implementation including:
One or both parent(s)/caregiver(s)
At least one of the student’s general education teachers
At least one of the student’s special education teachers
A School Psychologist or comparable specialist
A representative of the school district who is responsible for authorizing special education services
6. What does an IEP contain?
The IEP team works together to outline the following:
A listing of the student’s current abilities including strengths and limitations
Annual academic goals and how the school will evaluate progress
Services the child will receive and how often they’ll be administered
Accommodations to the student’s learning environment
Modifications to what the student will be expected to learn during the year
How the student will be included in standardized tests and general education classrooms
7. What if I don’t agree with the school’s decision?
Sometimes parents don’t agree with the school’s determination on the level of service their kid requires. If you disagree with your school’s decision, your district may provide funding for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) by an Educational Psychologist upon your request. An IEE provides an objective third-party assessment to determine your child’s needs for academic success. If your child attends a private school that does not offer IEP or 504 Plans, an IEE can be an effective starting point in getting your child the support they need to succeed.
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504 plans:
1. What does “504 Plan” mean?
The 504 Plan received its name from a statute listed in section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 was later revised to align with regulations put in place by The Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008. The 504 statute prevents discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures free and appropriate accommodations for eligible students.
2. Who do 504 Plans work best for?
Not every disability requires specialized instruction; a 504 plan is best for students who are able to thrive in a typical classroom setting, but just need to have certain barriers removed to do so. For example, a kid with moderate hearing loss may not need any special education, but they could benefit from strategic seating. Unlike IEPs which have stricter disability criteria, 504 plans can be approved for kids with any type of disability.
3. What are some common accommodations in a 504 plan?
Services and accommodations are based on a child’s specific challenges and needs. A few common 504 accommodations include:
Quiet spaces to work
Reduced homework or extended deadlines
Extended time on tests
Strategic seating
Behavioral plans
Use of audio-recording devices for notes
Having the school nurse oversee medication administration and/or monitor side effects
An Educational Psychologist can recommend the most effective services tailored to meet your child’s unique needs.
4. What’s the process for securing a 504 Plan?
Like an IEP, you’ll need to request a school assessment to determine your child’s 504 eligibility. To prepare for your school meeting, start tracking your kid’s symptoms – keep a log of their grades and document teacher and doctor communications on behavioral and academic issues. Take note of what has and hasn’t worked for them in school. Have your child evaluated by an Educational Psychologist to determine a clear diagnosis and provide academic recommendations. Taking these steps will better equip you to be prepared and informed when you meet with the school.
5. Who would develop my kid’s 504 Plan?
Criteria for a student’s 504 team is less strict than for an IEP. Generally, a 504 team might include one or both parent(s) or caregiver(s), general education and/or special education teachers, as well as the school principal or other administrator.
It can be helpful to have an outside professional review your educational plan before you sign the dotted line. Call us to learn how we can help.
6. What does a 504 plan contain?
A 504 plan includes:
Identification of the student’s strengths and challenges
Goals for the academic year
Specific accommodations to support the student in achieving their goals
Details on who will administer these accommodations
Names the person who is responsible for ensuring these accommodations are met throughout the year
7. What if I don’t agree with the school’s decision?
If you don’t agree with your school’s determination, you can arrange for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) by an Educational Psychologist. An IEE provides an objective third-party assessment to determine your child’s needs for academic success. If your child attends a private school that does not offer IEP or 504 Plans, an IEE can be an effective starting point in getting your child the support they need to succeed.
Click below to book your consultation to learn about our IEE services
How Variations Psychology can help
Navigating special education policies can feel overwhelming, but there’s no reason for you to do it alone. Our Doctors specialize in providing diagnostic testing and Independent Educational Evaluations to ensure that your child has the best opportunity to reach their academic potential.
So you know you need help, but aren’t sure how to find the right help?
If a loved one has a learning difference or other condition that impacts their mental health and education, you may feel lost in determining the best ways to support them.
Our Diagnosticians can provide psychological testing to remove the guess-work and guide your family on the best path toward mental health, emotional wellness, and academic success.
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More about Variations Psychology
Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions.
Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays.
In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.
For K-12 and post-secondary students, we offer evaluations to assess needs for accommodations on standardized tests, college entrance exams (e.g. - SAT, ACT, AP Exams), and graduate and professional licensing exams (e.g. - MCAT, LSAT, GRE, CBEST, NCLEX, GMAT, CA Cosmetology Exam, CA Contractors State Licensing Exam, CA Bar Exam).
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References:
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Morin, A. (n.d.) Related Services for Kids Who Learn and Think Differently: What You Need to Know. Understood.org. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/related-services-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences-what-you-need-to-know
Protecting Students with Disabilities (n.d.) U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html#skipnav2
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How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2020). Understanding Education Plans: A Parent’s Guide to 504s and IEPs. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-education-plans-a-parents-guide-to-504s-and-ieps