School Services
I understand that advocacy in the school system is a vital part of ensuring a safe and healthy school year for your child. As a parent, I know the importance of having the right supports at the table. Through my experience with parent/teacher meetings, board meetings, 504 meetings, IEP meetings (and the list goes on), I stand ready to review the difficulties you are facing with your child’s school and accompany you to these meetings in an effort to help you understand the information you are being presented and to help you make an informed decision about your child’s future.
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is guided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides special education and related services to a student who is identified as having a disability that negatively impacts her ability to receive academic instruction. A student who receives special education services is entitled to a modification of curriculum, classroom accommodations, specialized instruction, and related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and/or counseling.
A student with an IEP is re-evaluated every three years to determine continued eligibility. However, a parent can request a re-evaluation sooner than three years, but not less than one year. An IEP is also reviewed annually.
Reference: Attidudemag.com
What is a 504 Plan?
A 504 Accommodation Plan is guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that a student with a disability has access to accommodations that improve academic functioning.
In order to qualify for a 504 Plan, a student must have a diagnosis for a physical or emotional disability, or impairment (e.g., ADHD) that restricts one or more major life activities (e.g., attention, class participation).
A 504 Accommodation Plan can also provide the extended time or small group administration for statewide testing for your child. It can allow for accommodations like frequent breaks, fidgets, or modified homework assignments.
Note that a student is not able to receive specialized instruction or related services, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy – through a 504 Accommodation Plan.
Reference: Attidudemag.com
What is a parent/teacher meeting?
Parent /teacher meetings are meetings that happen between the parent and teacher to discuss the progress of the child. Usually, this meeting takes place outside normal school hours, in the evening. These meetings are a great opportunity for both the parent and teacher to come together and discuss and evaluate the academic and non-academic performance of the child. It’s great to help the parent stay informed and the teacher expresses any concerns, achievements, or performance personally with the parent. helps to know and work for the child's performance.
What is a board meeting?
School Board Meetings are meetings that usually take place for a particular school district. At these meetings topics such as policies, rules, and regulations to control the operation of the schools, including system organization, school site location, school finance, equipment purchase, staffing, attendance, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and other functions essential to the day-to-day operation of schools within the district's boundaries are discussed.
