Exactly how to talk to teacher about 504 implementation

[Anonymous]

Dx = dyslexia & dysgraphia. 504 with lots of appropriate accommodations. 3rd grade.
For content, he is allowed to dictate into the ipad. However, the class is so loud that he ended up typing and not doing a very good job. I had him "dictate" the story to me and it was great, fulfilling all of the requirements. Only she marked the work as incomplete. How do I ask for a quiet place to dictate. Or, he has to write, can she ask for him to tell her the story?

Math: again, more incompletes. I ask verbally, he gets them all right, immediately. I ask how he calculated, and he explains it...can't produce it on paper though. How do I talk to her about this?

I like the teacher; she's great. I am just so frustrated that the 504, though well written, is not being well inforced.

(please don't ask why I don't have an IEP, it's because I have not sued APS).

[Anonymous]

I’m a teacher. You can definitely ask for a quiet spot via an email. The hallway works sometimes, but also a neighboring empty classroom if there’s an an adult who can monitor. I think that if my classroom was too noisy for a child to dictate, it is too loud for me to hear a child telling me anything lengthy. I also try to review student writing twice before grading so I worry that I wouldn’t do a great job of evaluating a story I heard once.

Is the teacher willing to regrade this story?

[Anonymous]

Do you have an annual 504 meeting, and is it coming up any time soon?

Otherwise, I think it is fine to request a conference with the teacher to discuss.

[Anonymous]

No upcoming 504 meeting. We just had a conference not too long ago. I'm looking for actual words or suggestions.

Would a headset with microphone help? If so, we can provide that.

Could I scribe what he told me about the math thing and send it back in with an email note explaining?

parenting is hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dx = dyslexia & dysgraphia. 504 with lots of appropriate accommodations. 3rd grade.
For content, he is allowed to dictate into the ipad. However, the class is so loud that he ended up typing and not doing a very good job. I had him "dictate" the story to me and it was great, fulfilling all of the requirements. Only she marked the work as incomplete. How do I ask for a quiet place to dictate. Or, he has to write, can she ask for him to tell her the story?

Math: again, more incompletes. I ask verbally, he gets them all right, immediately. I ask how he calculated, and he explains it...can't produce it on paper though. How do I talk to her about this?

I like the teacher; she's great. I am just so frustrated that the 504, though well written, is not being well inforced.

(please don't ask why I don't have an IEP, it's because I have not sued APS).

If they are not following the 504, important to put in writing.

But yes, it does sound like your child may need more support, ie an IEP. Did you elevate the denial of the IEP? To whom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No upcoming 504 meeting. We just had a conference not too long ago. I'm looking for actual words or suggestions.

Would a headset with microphone help? If so, we can provide that.

Could I scribe what he told me about the math thing and send it back in with an email note explaining?

parenting is hard.

Some of what you are asking strikes me as needing an IEP - for example, telling the story to the teacher and having a scribe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No upcoming 504 meeting. We just had a conference not too long ago. I'm looking for actual words or suggestions.

Would a headset with microphone help? If so, we can provide that.

Could I scribe what he told me about the math thing and send it back in with an email note explaining?

parenting is hard.

I’m the teacher PP. If there is a lot of background talking, the microphone won’t help much as the program will still sense words it picks up or at least it will try to.

I think it is fine to quote your child in your communication with the school.

Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate your efforts to follow the 504 plan so that Larlo can show what he is learning. However, the noise in the classroom means that the dictation isn’t working. Do you have any suggestions of how to fix this? Perhaps there is a quiet place where he can dictate? Or perhaps he can retell his story in words? I’m open to other suggestions as well.

I would like to schedule a meeting so we can figure out the best way forward for Larlo. I am available in the mornings before school or at any other if it is more convenient for you. I reaally appreciate your help on this.

[Anonymous]

Even with an IEP these accommodations will be difficult to enforce. Usually the schools note that the accommodations are as needed and they will suggest that they are often not really needed.
DS has a verbal response accommodation in his IEP and it's never been allowed in one year. This is where they would allow him to provide a short answer in a subject like math or science, especially on a test, verbally instead of writing. As a result he usually bombs the written part of the math and science tests despite getting everything else correct and understanding the material well. I haven't made an issue about this as Ds has other challenges but it's definitely frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Your concern about grades is concerning. This is 3rd grade. Lots of empathy about the accommodations not being followed but you need to think about your attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your concern about grades is concerning. This is 3rd grade. Lots of empathy about the accommodations not being followed but you need to think about your attitude.

You need to rethink yours. This is completely unhelpful.

[Anonymous]

I would ask the school counselor to be at the meeting as well. They usually help with 504s

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. OP here. I am not worried about actual grades. I am worried about him demonstrating his abilities because then we will know what he doesn't know. I realize that's circular but think y'all get my point.

This weekend we learned some other things about the classroom that are not really aligned with his success. I really wish I didn't have to advocate for him all of the time. But, of course, I do. Thank you teacher and the person with the above script. Very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your concern about grades is concerning. This is 3rd grade. Lots of empathy about the accommodations not being followed but you need to think about your attitude.

You need to rethink yours. This is completely unhelpful.

It's important for OP to understand that obsessing about grades or if she's really not to make it clear to the school she's not obsessing about grades. The way she wrote her original post it makes it sound like she's one of those moms. She needs to rethink her goals and how to present them to the teacher in a way that emphasizes learning.

[Anonymous]

I’m a special ed teacher. The bottom line here is, if the school agreed to these accommodations and put them in the 504, then they agree to provide them. If they aren’t, that’s a problem. You are your son’s advocate and I would call the 504 team for a meeting because he needs these accommodations to be successful and access the curriculum/demonstrate progress. The school needs to know you are aware they are not meeting their responsibility and it is unacceptable. Unfortunately I have found that teachers are not very well supported in 504 plans and parents need to be squeaky wheels especially with elementary kids who can’t yet self advocate. Don’t feel bad. Call a meeting.