Experience with 504s, primarily at Fairfax and Woodson

[Anonymous]

Parents with kids of 504s at Woodson and Fairfax, I’d love to hear about your experiences over the last two years.

Earlier this year, I experienced a 504 meeting with this coordinator where I was told that the accommodations were not appropriate for a high schooler and we needed to shift more responsibilities to my student, despite my evidence that the child needed the support. They also kept talking about how county policies in place make some 504 accommodations impossible to implement. I’ve never experienced anything like this before and felt like they were tasked with reducing the number of accommodations rather than working to support my child.

Is this a normal experience for others?

P.S. I am looking to hear about your experiences, if applicable. Please do not comment about my child’s situation. We regularly have our child meet with appropriate, licensed outside supports who state the original accommodations is age/disability appropriate.

[Anonymous]

We are in Reston, Fairfax. We switched to new private middle school b/c 504 was a joke - something on paper and not much real help. We had to chase down the counselor which was hard to do because she was overwhelmed with other kids that are I guess more serious situations.

Yes, the councilor talked us into dropping an important accommodation (submitting assignments in typed rather than handwritten form). Ultimately, The child ended up with a bunch of F’s as he couldn’t cope with keeping track of handouts; he kept losing the handouts and also schoology was a complete mess.

[Anonymous]

We have had an awful experience with Woodson and 504. We constantly get gaslit by staff.

[Anonymous]

This is common across FCPS- gaslighting and trying to take away accommodations or IEPs. It is across all ages and all schools so it has to be something that is taught. At the HS level- they want to shift responsibilities to the kids because they are easier to intimidate and manipulate. They don't want to deal with parents who know far more than the kids do. It is so frustrating but you are not alone. Remind them who the adult is in this situation. I have also told Woodson that no conversation can happen with my child unless one parent is present.