Special Ed vs 504 (FCPS)

[Anonymous]

I thought I needed a 504 plan for my child, but the school is saying it might be special ed instead. DD might have some physical challenges (puberty seems to have triggered some physical symptoms - may be resolved with PT and may be an ongoing problem). DD also has some anxiety, though it hasn't been "quantified" yet. She has an appointment soon with a private psychiatrist.

I thought special ed was for ID?

[Anonymous]

Both IEPs ("special education") and 504s are for students with disabilities (any disability) who need something extra. With a 504, you can get accommodations (extra time on tests, preferential seating, etc.). With IEPs, you can get "specialized instruction" -- that is, services such as small group instruction for reading or speech therapy.

Having an IEP does not mean that your child won't be in the general education classroom -- the vast, vast majority of students with IEPs are in the gen ed classroom, either with the services pushing in or pulling out for small group work for short periods of time (what was called resource room when we were kids).

[Anonymous]

Special ed is for a wide variety of issues. There are gifted children with IEPs. An IEP gives you more rights legally than a 504 which my not even be enforceable. ID is one of many categories for an IEP, not the only one.

[Anonymous]

Is school offering some kind of PT or OT? They may have to classify her as on an IEP to receive the services. If school is proposing an IEP, then they should draft “goals and objectives” for specialized instruction. Seeing or talking about what those would be may help you understnd why school wants to classify as IEP.

[Anonymous]

Ohhhhh - so is IEP the same as Special Ed? I'm familiar with IEPs - I totally thought Special Ed was different.

Actually, an IEP is better, right? Aren't there more teeth behind requiring IEPs to be enforced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is school offering some kind of PT or OT? They may have to classify her as on an IEP to receive the services. If school is proposing an IEP, then they should draft “goals and objectives” for specialized instruction. Seeing or talking about what those would be may help you understnd why school wants to classify as IEP.

No. Or at least, I'm not asking for it. She will need PT, but I would be getting private PT. She will receive homebound instruction, and the committe suggested setting her up for special ed if she needed additional services after the homebound instruction period expires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ohhhhh - so is IEP the same as Special Ed? I'm familiar with IEPs - I totally thought Special Ed was different.

Actually, an IEP is better, right? Aren't there more teeth behind requiring IEPs to be enforced?

Yes, an IEP is the legal document through which special education is provided.

And, yes, there are way more parental process protections in an IEP compared to a 504.