What do you do when you find out that the teacher is not making accommodations and following the 504

[Anonymous]

Its clear that DS's teacher this year is not making any of the accommodations listed in his 504. He is supposed to be given redirection to complete tasks, preferential seating, break out services, etc. He is sitting at the far end of the corner away from the teacher, she never does anything to refocus him, she doesn't report when he is falling behind etc etc.

We're under the new 2.0 grading system so he gets a P in everything and when I ask her about his progress she reports that he is fine. Its like pulling teeth to get anything out of her. Now, at the end of year his folders and journals are coming home. They are basically empty or filled with unfinished work. He's been telling me all year that he is always the last to finish and doesn't get things done but since not much comes home other than a few worksheets I don't have anything to take to the principal. When I would ask the teacher she would say he is fine. From her perspective, as long as he is performing at the bottom level of a P then it doesn't matter if he sits and doodles or stares out the window all day. If I had known how bad this was I would have intervened much earlier.

The purpose of the 504 isn't just to get the kids to do the bare minimum but to give them a learning environment with accommodations where they can reach their academic potential and learn something. I don't care if this is still a damn P grade but I'm furious that he has basically not learned anything this year and he hasn't been able to do or afforded the opportunity to do the work in school.

What do I do? Our principal is so so and doesn't have a reputation for being helpful to parents. I have never had a problem with her personally but wonder based on what I have heard from other parents.

[Anonymous]

I would set up a meeting with the principal ASAP. Let them know that this is not acceptable. Where your kid has a seat is enough. You don't need heaps of evidence.

[Anonymous]

The teacher sounds like a BITCH!

When you speak with the principal, tell her your DC would like an IEP for next yr since the 504 is not being followed at all. ADHD can qualify under Other Health Issues (OHI).
I would pursue getting an IEP since it has teeth. You can sue them if it's not followed.

[Anonymous]

document, document, document. whatever is discussed in the meeting you should document and email the notes to the principal noting that this was your understanding of what was discussed and if your notes are amiss would she/he please email you back any corrections. Put a legal disclaimer that notes no reply withing 72 hours (or whatever) signifies complete agreement with the notes as written. cover your a**. If you don't and then you references said meeting, the school can and often will act as if none of what you say was ever said.

[Anonymous]

For legal advice on this, talk to an attorney. I recommend Michael Eig and Associates in Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The purpose of the 504 isn't just to get the kids to do the bare minimum but to give them a learning environment with accommodations where they can reach their academic potential and learn something.

Just so you know, I'm not sure about the 504 system but this isn't true of IEPs. IDEA is a floor, not a ceiling.

[Anonymous]

OP--what are "break out services" and how are they an accommodation (versus being a "service"?)

[Anonymous]

OP - what school are you in? Private? Public: and what county?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The purpose of the 504 isn't just to get the kids to do the bare minimum but to give them a learning environment with accommodations where they can reach their academic potential and learn something.

Just so you know, I'm not sure about the 504 system but this isn't true of IEPs. IDEA is a floor, not a ceiling.

Unfortunately, IME, the school use it as a ceiling.

[Anonymous]

My son has an IEP at a MoCo public elementary known to cater satisfactorily to SN children, and practically NEVER brings back finished assignments. Half of the time he completes the first sentence on the page or pages and the rest is blank!

Now I have only visited the classroom once, but given the feedback his teacher gave me at the IEP meeting, I am reasonably certain she at least attempts every accommodation on the IEP.
In our case, I believe it's due to my child's ADHD/Asperger's that he does not finish his work. There is no earthly way the teacher can MAKE a child finish - even when I coach my son at home, he takes ages to get through the simplest stuff!

My point is that you should first complain only about the indisputable items like the seating. Do not dilute your message with more intangibles items like productivity, because they are going to argue about it and the substance will be lost.

Next year, demand an IEP. Keep in touch with the teacher throughout the year and request updates and work samples from your son.

Good luck. It can get exhausting, I know.

[Anonymous]

You can put into the IEP that the teacher has to give you weekly progress reports either written emails or over the phone to you. Unless there is a reason that your DS cannot complete assignments in class, I would put finishing assignments into the IEP with the appropriate accommodation that makes it possible.

My DS with Asperger's has no problems finishing assignments in class although he may need additional prompting to get started which is in his IEP. If he does not finish, he has to finish during recess, the threat of which has been enough to get him to finish assignments in class.

You need an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has an IEP at a MoCo public elementary known to cater satisfactorily to SN children, and practically NEVER brings back finished assignments. Half of the time he completes the first sentence on the page or pages and the rest is blank!

Now I have only visited the classroom once, but given the feedback his teacher gave me at the IEP meeting, I am reasonably certain she at least attempts every accommodation on the IEP.
In our case, I believe it's due to my child's ADHD/Asperger's that he does not finish his work. There is no earthly way the teacher can MAKE a child finish - even when I coach my son at home, he takes ages to get through the simplest stuff!

My point is that you should first complain only about the indisputable items like the seating. Do not dilute your message with more intangibles items like productivity, because they are going to argue about it and the substance will be lost.

Next year, demand an IEP. Keep in touch with the teacher throughout the year and request updates and work samples from your son.

Good luck. It can get exhausting, I know.

You are describing my son to a T. No matter what accommodation or service, assignments are never done. The way I figure it is, no one can make him do his work and so long as his grades are good, meaning that he is mastering the material, I really don't care if the assignments are completed.

PP's advice on not diluting your message with disputable items is excellent. Your comment that the teacher NEVER does anything to redirect you son is exactly the kind of statement you want to avoid.

One thing I will add is that I have never seen a school agree to a 504 where there is IEP eligibility. You can't just demand an IEP and get it. Your child has to test into an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its clear that DS's teacher this year is not making any of the accommodations listed in his 504. He is supposed to be given redirection to complete tasks, preferential seating, break out services, etc. He is sitting at the far end of the corner away from the teacher, she never does anything to refocus him, she doesn't report when he is falling behind etc etc.

We're under the new 2.0 grading system so he gets a P in everything and when I ask her about his progress she reports that he is fine. Its like pulling teeth to get anything out of her. Now, at the end of year his folders and journals are coming home. They are basically empty or filled with unfinished work. He's been telling me all year that he is always the last to finish and doesn't get things done but since not much comes home other than a few worksheets I don't have anything to take to the principal. When I would ask the teacher she would say he is fine. From her perspective, as long as he is performing at the bottom level of a P then it doesn't matter if he sits and doodles or stares out the window all day. If I had known how bad this was I would have intervened much earlier.

The purpose of the 504 isn't just to get the kids to do the bare minimum but to give them a learning environment with accommodations where they can reach their academic potential and learn something. I don't care if this is still a damn P grade but I'm furious that he has basically not learned anything this year and he hasn't been able to do or afforded the opportunity to do the work in school.

What do I do? Our principal is so so and doesn't have a reputation for being helpful to parents. I have never had a problem with her personally but wonder based on what I have heard from other parents.

what grade is DC in?

[Anonymous]

If your child has accommodations under a 504 plan, this is a legal right under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any violations can be reported to the Department of Justice. This is the federal law that is being broken.

If you are not afraid of making a stink with your school, perhaps an email reminding them of their legal obligations, and an implication that you will file with the DOJ will make them take you more seriously.

[Anonymous]

Why are you posting this on the second to last day of school? Maybe his teacher next year will do a better job.