Denied a 504 because child not failing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school child was denied a 504 because, in the words of the evaluator, he wasn't failing. The school's psychologist actually said "it is not the responsibility of the public schools to see that your child meets his potential. We don't have the resources for that. We want to see that he graduates. That's all." My child has severe ADHD and problems with writing, but is advanced in math. He gets mostly Bs in school, sometimes an A or C. I think there are definitely some supports he could use, like keyboarding, help with executive functions, etc. Is it normal for the school to deny this and refuse to do anything? Fyi, we're not in the DC area.

Did the school psychologist say this during a meeting to determine whether your child is eligible for services, or was this a less formal meeting? Did you record the meeting? I would be furious because the comment about the school and your child's potential was unprofessional and because denying him based on passing grades is a misinterpretation of IDEA. I think the PP is correct that you need to weigh what you can get in accommodations vs the energy and money it will take to get the 504. At the very least I would ask to meet with the head of Special Ed and have a "I was confused about what Mr Jimmy John said in the meeting because my understanding of my child's legal rights as a person with a disability..." If you have a local parent advocacy group they may be able to give you some help.

You’re confusing IDEA. 504s fall under civil rights laws

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My middle school child was denied a 504 because, in the words of the evaluator, he wasn't failing. The school's psychologist actually said "it is not the responsibility of the public schools to see that your child meets his potential. We don't have the resources for that. We want to see that he graduates. That's all." My child has severe ADHD and problems with writing, but is advanced in math. He gets mostly Bs in school, sometimes an A or C. I think there are definitely some supports he could use, like keyboarding, help with executive functions, etc. Is it normal for the school to deny this and refuse to do anything? Fyi, we're not in the DC area.

the school psychologist is 100% correct. 504 plans do not exist to help students meet their potential, they exist to level the playing field so students with disabilities can access the curriculum in a way they would not be able to without accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school child was denied a 504 because, in the words of the evaluator, he wasn't failing. The school's psychologist actually said "it is not the responsibility of the public schools to see that your child meets his potential. We don't have the resources for that. We want to see that he graduates. That's all." My child has severe ADHD and problems with writing, but is advanced in math. He gets mostly Bs in school, sometimes an A or C. I think there are definitely some supports he could use, like keyboarding, help with executive functions, etc. Is it normal for the school to deny this and refuse to do anything? Fyi, we're not in the DC area.

Did the school psychologist say this during a meeting to determine whether your child is eligible for services, or was this a less formal meeting? Did you record the meeting? I would be furious because the comment about the school and your child's potential was unprofessional and because denying him based on passing grades is a misinterpretation of IDEA. I think the PP is correct that you need to weigh what you can get in accommodations vs the energy and money it will take to get the 504. At the very least I would ask to meet with the head of Special Ed and have a "I was confused about what Mr Jimmy John said in the meeting because my understanding of my child's legal rights as a person with a disability..." If you have a local parent advocacy group they may be able to give you some help.

You’re confusing IDEA. 504s fall under civil rights laws

this, and a 504 does not make a child eligible for services. that would be an IEP (special education).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school child was denied a 504 because, in the words of the evaluator, he wasn't failing. The school's psychologist actually said "it is not the responsibility of the public schools to see that your child meets his potential. We don't have the resources for that. We want to see that he graduates. That's all." My child has severe ADHD and problems with writing, but is advanced in math. He gets mostly Bs in school, sometimes an A or C. I think there are definitely some supports he could use, like keyboarding, help with executive functions, etc. Is it normal for the school to deny this and refuse to do anything? Fyi, we're not in the DC area.

Did the school psychologist say this during a meeting to determine whether your child is eligible for services, or was this a less formal meeting? Did you record the meeting? I would be furious because the comment about the school and your child's potential was unprofessional and because denying him based on passing grades is a misinterpretation of IDEA. I think the PP is correct that you need to weigh what you can get in accommodations vs the energy and money it will take to get the 504. At the very least I would ask to meet with the head of Special Ed and have a "I was confused about what Mr Jimmy John said in the meeting because my understanding of my child's legal rights as a person with a disability..." If you have a local parent advocacy group they may be able to give you some help.

You’re confusing IDEA. 504s fall under civil rights laws

this, and a 504 does not make a child eligible for services. that would be an IEP (special education).

You're right, I jumbled different things.