I have several concerns and questions for those who are familiar with procedures in the TIER I, TIER II, and TIER III model. My grandson who now 9, was diagnosed at Medical Center with ADHD, ODD when he was 6. He was assessed as low to average in IQ. I believe he also has dyslexia but he is in process of being evaluated for this. This is the 2nd year My daughter has been requesting a 504 plan to address these issues. In meantime the school has mishandled the TIER process. They indicate that he has been receiving interventions but we have never seen what those are even though they were requested. His case was referred to the DTST for a look see, my daughter received a notice to come to the meeting 2 days beforehand, and could not attend as she wanted an advocate available with her, and could not get time off work. She requested they postpone the meeting until Mar. 12th. THEY WENT ON WITH THE MEETING WITHOUT HER. Then told her the outcome. Did they follow procedures?

darhe3425

c'mon, someone please give some reply!!!!!!!

Fr_Chuck

did they follow procedure, she was notified of a hearing, an choose not to come but did request a new date. She needed to be there in person, if they did not agree to give a new date.

In the case plan, even after the first meeting to develop a plan, the plan can be and should be revised on a regular basis to meet the needs to the individual. So get the advocate, and you and them and your medical professional review the plan and see if it is ok, Just because she was not there does not mean it is not a good plan, if the plan does not meet the needs request a review of the plan. Sometimes an attorney may be needed to help a school board reconsider plans.

darhe3425

We do not have a 504 plan. This is what we feel will help him, but he district will not create one. They have created "interventions," that they say are not being helpful, but even with a written request, they have not given us those interventions so we can determine whether or not they were successful Getting advocates involved has been helpful, but I am disgusted with the idea of them being necessary. At this point we have complainded to district administrators, and am wating for a response. I'm pretty sure a lawyer is going to be needed. This district may need a few more lawsuits.

darhe3425

also, no they did not follow procedures, I've learned this from advocates. They should have postponed the meeting until she could have input, and not make decisions without the opportunity to speak with the parents.

Fr_Chuck

504 plans cost money, often lots of money, requirements for speical programs, accomidations and more, often, attorneys have to get involved to help in the discussions of a program. It is support to be a program worked out bettween the doctors recomendations, schools evaluations by thier couseling staff, prior years teachers if relivant and more.

** Ok I have never been invovled in them but I have read alot about it, because of my work with the handicap and providing equipment that the schools used in doing this.

** many times it is a matter of money, but they are required to furnish these programs if there is a real need. ( not saying yours is not a real need, just wording that was used in our programs I have worked with

darhe3425

Father Chuck, we are looking at the differences between a 504 plan and an IEP, now mind you I want the appropriate plan for my grandson, but the real issue with 504 plans from many districts view is that they cannot "make money" off of this plan. He has ADD all he needs is to have accomodations attached to his academic curriculum. This would be at no cost to district, just an acknowlegement that Attention Deficit Disorder interferes with his ability to access his educational system. Trust me, this is an issue about this District's Will, and insistence that he receive an IEP, and not a 504 plan.

DoulaLC

Am I correct in reading that the school is pushing for the IEP and you prefer the 504? Where have his accommodations been documented so far? Did they give you a copy of the paperwork that was dealt with at the last meeting to go over his academic plan? Could you or your daughter go into the school office and request a copy of the forms? Might be faster then waiting for them to be mailed to you....which they should have been. What has been said at parent/teacher conferences in regard to the interventions being used? Do his needs require more accommodations then a general 504 would cover? I assume he is in a general ed classroom....how has he been doing? The 504 would be the first step in the process....and quite easy to obtain really, especially if they have already been documenting his performance and needs so far. Having already had a diagosis from his doctor makes it that much easier to do.
Sorry for all of the questions....just trying to get a better understanding of the situation.

Fr_Chuck

I may have been incorrect, I was under the impression that there normally was a IEP developed when you did a 504. you have to outline what accomidatons you are going to have to meet and how you are goig to meet them

darhe3425

At the first Teacher Support Team meeting, my daughter documented that she was requesting a 504 plan. They were supposed to follow up, but did not until late January, TST meeting was in October. By that time they already had a course of action, which was to railroad him to the DTST for recommendation for exceptional ed. testing, very common here. His medical assessments from an independent psychologist were not considered, basically ignoring fact that he has ADHD. The interventions written for him to succeed, with the teacher giving additional help 30 minutes twice daily, only indicates where she had graded failing papers even when his answers were correct, only marking spelling errors, (his dyslexia). I have been a teacher for Exceptional Ed. students for 14 years, I know how teachers falsify documents, and grade to slant a student in one direction or the next, unfortunately I now see this played out with my grandkid. But they really are boo-booing on the wrong kid. My daughter did give written request for all documents, we have reviewed them and find many errors, including dates and signatures inconsistent, omission of meeting where we attended with request for a 504 plan. We are on verge of a lawsuit, and are searching for one.