Requirements for a student to enroll in MCPS Resource class?

[Anonymous]

At the middle school level -
Does a student need to have an IEP?
Or does a 504 plan suffice? If so, how can one go about obtaining a 504 for a student?

[Anonymous]

Thank you! (OP)

[Anonymous]

To be in a resource class in MCPS a student must have an IEP. There is another class called Alt 1 which does not require an IEP or 504, but you have to be careful because many of the students in this class will not be a good influence, mainly at the high school level.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that is true- I think a 504 plan might be enough for resource class in some schools.

[Anonymous]

OP, why do you think tespurce would be helpful for your DC?

[Anonymous]

Most middle schools are opening up resource to all students. Talk with the school counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that is true- I think a 504 plan might be enough for resource class in some schools.

A true resource class in MCPS is overseen/taught by a special educator. No way can the spare a special educator and open up the class to all students, or even those who do not qualify for special education (you must have an IEP). Alt 1 is basically the same thing as resource in that it is equivalent to a study hall and an educator is present. However, there are no goals and the staff may not be a special educator. It is for students who do not qualify for special ed, but are struggling in school for other reasons, typically including poor attendance, ESOL, behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, why do you think tespurce would be helpful for your DC?

Impossible. Resource is overseen by a special educator. School allocations are based on the # of special education hours needed. Those special education hours cannot be given to non-special education hours. Maybe there is a class by another name that is not special ed?

[Anonymous]

I was under the impression that you needed to have an IEP for Resource, and that is one of the main reasons we fought so hard to get my son an IEP for middle school. The Resource class has been fantastic for him. He can get most of his homework done before he comes home, the help him with organization, and they help the kids study for their tests.

[Anonymous]

My child's middle school guidance counselor recently suggested that our child (who has a 504 plan) be in a resource class next year. We asked if an IEP was necessary and she said no.

[Anonymous]

That isn't a true resource class, but it is very similar. There are alternative classes for students who have 504 plans and who need something similar to a study hall. But, you must have an IEP to get an actual resource class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That isn't a true resource class, but it is very similar. There are alternative classes for students who have 504 plans and who need something similar to a study hall. But, you must have an IEP to get an actual resource class.

Interesting. I wonder if the school is just telling us it's a true resource class with a special ed teacher so we don't push for an IEP.

[Anonymous]

It is not true that a student requires an IEP to be in resource - I know because my DD with a 504 at Pyle was offered a space in a resource class that has students with IEPs.

[Anonymous]

If the answer to this question were on the MCPS website, any thoughts as to where it would be?

[Anonymous]

So do you think that certain schools' resource classrooms can make room for a couple of non-IEP students, but that they don't advertise is to avoid having to accommodate too many?