what is a 504 plan?

OP here, thanks for all the responses and advice. We went to the meeting, met with several teachers, and school psychologist too. They want to perform the Conner's scale testing again to make sure he still have the same problems he had earlier when the original testing was done. Originally we got the testing by TLC, and they almost 8 to 10 kinds of neuropsychological testings, this was done in Feb 2011. so not very long ago.

Let us see what they will find, we go back again in Nov 28th.
thanks again,

Anonymous wrote:The 504 Plan doesn't relate to placement, but I would raise it anyway. If the reasons for keeping out of advanced math are related to his disability (say, he can't do mad minutes quickly because of slow processing or slow handwriting), you can argue that he should be in advanced math with appropriate 504 accommodations.

It is illegal to keep a kid out of advanced programs solely, because the child has a 504 or IEP plans. In the old days, kids were forced to give up their accommodations to participate in advanced classes. The Department of Ed has acknowledged in a letter (which carries the force of law) that this is not legal.

But, you sound like you are caught up in something different -- Curriculum 2.0. Under curriculum 2.0, kids where formerly working above grade level are now being "de-accelerated". Some schools are now placing all kids "on grade level" and "with enrichment". The on grade level part is something that all kids now have to do. The "enrichment" is something kids do if and only if they get thru the on grade level material. The enrichment doesn't let them move ahead, it only lets them "deepen their knowledge". For my child who was working on double digit multiplication, he has now been sent back to do addtion and the "enrichment" is that he adds or subtracts in 3 or 4 digit numbers, while other kids are adding/subtracting single or double digit numbers.

Anonymous wrote:The 504 Plan doesn't relate to placement, but I would raise it anyway. If the reasons for keeping out of advanced math are related to his disability (say, he can't do mad minutes quickly because of slow processing or slow handwriting), you can argue that he should be in advanced math with appropriate 504 accommodations.

I agree. Great advice here. If he has the cognitive skills and academic achievement level to merit advanced math placement, then slow psychomotor speed/handwriting should be accommodated.

The 504 Plan doesn't relate to placement, but I would raise it anyway. If the reasons for keeping out of advanced math are related to his disability (say, he can't do mad minutes quickly because of slow processing or slow handwriting), you can argue that he should be in advanced math with appropriate 504 accommodations.

Academic placement sounds more like it is more appropriate for an IEP than a 504 Plan. IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. 504 is all about accommodations (more time for tests, having a scribe, etc.).

504 plans are for "organizing his work, needs more time in writing" and other accommodations that make it possible for your ADHD child to "access the curriculum." It has nothing to do with placing him in "advance math" although why is the school adamant in not placing him there if he is able to do the work? What was the reason they gave you?

Hello moms and dads,
I'm new to the MCPS, and my child enrolled in 5th grade in MCPS school this fall. He has a 504 plan recommendation from the testing we got done for his ADHD combined type. He is very motivated kid, high intellect, very likable and popular with kids. His behaviour is very kind and pleasing. No social issues at all. But he has issues with organizing his work, needs more time in writing. I have a meeting with his counselor and some others at school next week. I'm scared to death of the outcomes as the school has been adamant and not letting him do advance math, Math 6. He is bored to death in math class. I will raise this in the meeting, but dont know the approach.
I would definitely need some guidance in this, as what to expect in these meetings.
Please help me if you know anything about this plans and how they are implemented in the MCPS system.
thanks