Starting 504 in DC PCS - what to expect

[Anonymous]

I do not want to disclose too much - we are at the beginning of the process. Is there a guidebook somewhere? They gave us the District of Columbia Notice of Procedural Safeguards - but other than reading that, where do I go for information?

Initial concerns are sensory and fine motor.

[Anonymous]

From my experience, DCPS has internal "rules" about 504s that they will not share with parents, which I suspect violates the law and I've considered reporting it to the U.S. DOE, but I've had bigger fish to fry.

From what I've been able to put together, you may have to provide a letter from the medical providers rather than a report; you may need to have an original (not electronic) signature on it; you need to have a diagnostic code on the letter (though I'm not sure whether they will only accept a DSM-5 code, or whether they'll accept a medical code;" and the letter may need to provide information as to what testing or information the provider relied upon to come to the diagnosis.

You'll need to show that your child is "disabled" under the Rehab Act, and I'm pretty sure sensory issues won't get you there, and fine motor skills will only get you there if your child is performing below grade level.

Basically, the DCPS game is to avoid providing 504s and IEPs as often as they can by having non-transparent processes and rules and decision making.

I would recommend buying the "Wright's Law" book, or at least reading everything on 504s on their website.

[Anonymous]

NP here. Sounds awful. But OP is at a charter...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From my experience, DCPS has internal "rules" about 504s that they will not share with parents, which I suspect violates the law and I've considered reporting it to the U.S. DOE, but I've had bigger fish to fry.

From what I've been able to put together, you may have to provide a letter from the medical providers rather than a report; you may need to have an original (not electronic) signature on it; you need to have a diagnostic code on the letter (though I'm not sure whether they will only accept a DSM-5 code, or whether they'll accept a medical code;" and the letter may need to provide information as to what testing or information the provider relied upon to come to the diagnosis.

You'll need to show that your child is "disabled" under the Rehab Act, and I'm pretty sure sensory issues won't get you there, and fine motor skills will only get you there if your child is performing below grade level.

Basically, the DCPS game is to avoid providing 504s and IEPs as often as they can by having non-transparent processes and rules and decision making.

I would recommend buying the "Wright's Law" book, or at least reading everything on 504s on their website.

I don't think there's any legal mandate for a state to publicize its own sped manual. But, PP, if you're interested in it, you should file a FOIA request. I'm pretty sure that it would have to be turned over under FOIA.

[Anonymous]

My kids are now in a private school but they spent one year at a high performing DCPS. I knew were going to need additional support after the first quarter. I had had psychoeducational assessments done the prior year. So, I reached out to the special ed coordinator and copied the principal telling them what I wanted for my kids. I had reviewed the laws for an IEP and 504 plan and thought the 504 would be more appropriate as they were not severely learning disabled. I provided a skeletal 504 plan from which the coordinator, teachers and spealists worked to develop the final 504 plan. There was no room for the school to put up barriers because I made it very clear I knew what the law was and what they were required to provide. also let them know I was a lawyer. Needless to say, I did not encounter any problems. My advice to you is to do all the research before you go in to talk to the appropriate personnel. You don't need to be a lawyer to get what you need for your child but you need to be informed and prepared to be an advocate for your child. I ultimately put my kids in private because I thought they could benefit from smaller classes and individualized instruction. You just have to be diligent and insistent. I never had anyone with me in the meetings with the special ed coordinator, psycholgist and specialist. It is only intimidating if you allow the process to be. And, if necessary don't be afraid to bring out the can of "kick ass", which I was prepared to do if necessary. I wish you the best, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. Sounds awful. But OP is at a charter...

This. Most DC charters acts as their own LEA (local education agency) and are completely separate from DCPS so it hard to say anything about how well or poorly they run their Special Education process. Charter SNs services/supports run from outstanding (Bridges) to dismal but it depends on the particular charter school.

[Anonymous]

You can go here for info about 504 and SN law in general:

http://wrightslaw.com

It is correct that DC charter schools act independently and as their own school district when it comes to special needs services so don't let the horror stories about DCPS scare you. My child attends a DCPCS and they have been great but it really depends on the individual charter school. Our school provided all of our requested accommodations which is what a 504 provides prior to getting our IEP (accommodations and services like OT) since it was clear that DC needed them in the classroom.