504 Accomodations?

Question

What do the 504 accomodations entail? do you they have free tutors if you cannot pay for one?

Answer 1

A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan.

A student is not entitled to tutors under 504 or an IEP. A school does not have to supply the best education. They have to supply a free appropriate education Appropriate is often defined by the district and the students disability.

Under NCLB has wording that suggest that tutors can be requested to cover areas that students are below grade level. Most districts have tutors set up in school for students that are struggling with specific subjects. Unless you can prove that your child needs 1:1 instruction it is difficult to get and often you would have to take the district to court.

Answer 2

504 Accomodations are for medical issues.  The law comes from section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you do a search on those things, you will come up with more information.  This section of the law is used to help students with accomodations to help them succeed in the classroom.  It provides things like aids in the class, preferred seating,  technology aids to facilitate learning, modifying test/work,  etc.  It is used primarily for students who have medical issues such as hearing or vision impairments, depression, or ADD /ADHD.  IOW's any student who is physically or mentally impaired and that impairment limits their abilities.   ADD can only be diagnosed by a doctor, since any prescriptions possibly given for it are dispensed by a doctor.   It was meant to "level the playing field".  

The site below, while long, explains it pretty well.

I don't know who the "they" is that you refer to.  The district the child is in should provide a free and appropriate public education.  If they are already providing that, why would a tutor be necessary?  That is the question the party paying for the service  (tutoring) will address.

Answer 3

The links below are to the US Dept. of Education. It will give you info about 504. I didn't see anything that specifically states that they can receive free tutoring but that doesn't mean they can't, they may be eligible for it under Free Appropiate Public Education which is a section 504 regulation. However though under the No Child Left Behind Act this info was listed about tutoring:

Extra Help with Learning: No Child Left Behind may also provide your child with free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork if the state says your child's school has been "in need of improvement" for at least 2 years. This extra help is often referred to as Supplemental Educational Services. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.

School in Need of Improvement — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to schools receiving Title I funds that have not met state reading and math goals (AYP) for at least two years. If your child's school is labeled a "school in need of improvement," it receives extra help to improve and your child has the option to transfer to another public school, including a public charter school. Also, your child may be eligible to receive free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.

Supplemental Educational Services (SES) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to the tutoring and extra help with schoolwork in subjects such as reading and math that children from low-income families may be eligible to receive. This help is provided free of charge and generally takes place outside the regular school day, such as after school or during the summer.

Answer 4

I don't know about your school district but in NYC 504 are for medical related issues such as permission from the doctor for the child to receive or carry medication in school. Most often used for children with asthma so that they can carry their inhaler's in school.  Free tutors would fall under the No Child Left Behind Act if  the school is one that isn't up to standards.  You should ask at the school if they fall under the No Child Left Behind Act. If you are told yes than they have to either provide you with the free tutoring or tell you where you can get the tutoring.