Reply to IEP / 504 question --- high school class, ability to take in a different format

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you have diagnosed dyscalculia, you should have an IEP not a 504 plan.

A 504 plan does not provide any special instruction, and typically a kid with dyscalculia would need special instruction. A 504 plan would typically just provide different accommodations like extra time, copy of class notes, test on test booklet, use of a calculator, etc. What is in your 504 plan?

Did you request an IEP and get turned down for that and we’re offered in 504 plan in the alternative? Or did you go to your school and say that your son needed help and they offered a 504 plan?

To successfully get an IEP one must show the following three things: 1)evidence of a disorder, 2) evidence of adverse impact on education and 3) need for special instruction.

You want to ask your school district that your child be placed in a different environment from the general Ed classroom in order to successfully learn math, but you do not have the legal paperwork that shows that your child even needs special instruction in math, i.e. the IEP.  If you had an IEP, the school system would be obliged to provide special instruction in math, and the first step is typically to provide that instruction in the homeschool either through push in services or pull out services.

What you are asking for is not only for the school system to give your child special instruction, but to give it to him in an environment that is more restrictive than the general education environment. Legally, I think it’s very unlikely that any school system would make that leap.

My advice to you is to ask in writing formally for an IEP. Go to the IEP screening meaning with as much documentation as you can gather to show your students dyscalculia diagnosis, the way it is adversely impacting his education (can be but is not limited to grades, can also include a comparison of achievement with IQ, suggesting a large gap between the two, can also be how much extra time effort and tutoring is being put in to just maintaining the bear grade level performance), and showing the necessity of special education (some documentation that shows for a diagnosis of dyscalculia that certain kinds of math instruction that aren’t provided in general education are more necessary and successful). If the school system decides that it needs to take the 60 days, it is entitled to to assess your child, make sure that assessment is done by a school psychologist and includes IQ and achievement evaluation in all areas, not just math. Also ask for an evaluation of attention, executive function, anxiety, etc. Make sure you receive the results of any school assessment prior to the final IEP determination meeting.  If you get an IEP, at that time when the IEP goals are being written with you, you can discuss with the team, the very kinds of special instruction and where they would be provided at school or in an outside location.[/quote]

Thank you for the detailed response; this was perhaps the push I needed to I decide to ask for an IEP, even if the only outcome is getting closer to an alternate math class which we feel is the best option (and one we would be willing to pay for). A few days ago I made some pretty basic requests (after documenting just how awful the teacher is) and they couldn't/wouldn't give DC any extra help--so the IEP seems like the only option.

As for the initial path (DC tested late spring so started process in the fall). The private neuropsych (with decades of experience) had always talked of getting an 504 vs. IEP. The first step at the school was an IEP evaluation (with all the documentation above) but that was denied based on DC not necessarily needing special instruction. At the time we agreed.  We are/were happy with the accommodations. I am still not sure they need it; just need a teacher that is good at teaching and well organized. Math this year has been such a dumpster fire and it's hard to really get an accurate sense of where DC would be with a different teacher, but this is where we are.[/quote]

Sadly IEPs don’t cover poor instruction… if your child is scoring average in math it seems like a tough lift to convince the school there is a disability that requires special education. I think you need to put your energy into setting up supports at home and establishing good communication with the teacher. I am not familiar with NC but seems unlikely that you can get just one class given online or in a different school just because you don’t like the teaching method. [/quote]

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