How does a 504 education plan work?

Question:

Hi, I've been out of school since the second half of my sophomore year of highschool due to physical health problems, I would be a senior right now. I was able to complete my sophomore year through homeschooling, but when junior year started I couldnt continue due to complete lack of concentration. I used to be a honor student with an A average, my doctor talked to me about getting me on a 504 plan so I do not have to complete 2 years of courses to graduate. I'm not sure how this works, I'm not really interested in getting a GED, but I also cant possibly make up 2 years of work, or I wont be going to college untill I'm in my 20's. My parents are trying to work this out with my school system, any information on this would be welcome.

Well i was on this program at my school it is basically for you to get help when you need it and sometimes if you have been held back depending on how much you have been held back it can actually eliminate some of the unnecssary stuff that you won't need!

"Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications.

Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 does not require the school to provide an individualized educational program (IEP) that is designed to meet the child's unique needs and provides the child with educational benefit. Under Section 504, fewer procedural safeguards are available to children with disabilities and their parents than under IDEA. "

SO accomodations and modifications in your case would be less homework, personal tutoring, help with tests if you still need it. You would still need to do the credits though, so your parents would have to talk to the teachers about setting up a course of schedule to get it done. You might just have to resign yourself to taking an extra year, which would make you nineteen right? Instead of eighteen when you graduate?

If your physical health problems STILL exist, I would seriously push for an IEP, because you don't need just equal access to school (which is what a 504 would call for) you need to have a specialized instruction, which would be designed in the IEP. Does that make sense? You can email me if you have more questions, but if your parents request in writing to have an IEP meeting with evaluations, the school is required by law to take that seriously and evaluate and tell you whether or not you qualify. If you are a year behind in school, then I'd say there are problems caused by your disability. You might need a special ed lawyer, contact any disability group in your area for references.

Good luck.

How does a 504 education plan work?

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