Can any student have a IEP & accomodations, or is it just Special Needs Kids?

Question

I am confused about the guideliunes for IEP and accomodations. Does a student have to be idenified by the IDEA act to receive an IEP and Accomodations? My son's teacher told me that they do not. If that is true then wouldn't every kid in school want them?

Answer 1

An IEP is only for special needs qualifiers. An IEP is an Individualized Education Program specific to the identified student's needs as revealed by evaluations. Accommodations are written into the IEP and are legally binding by federal law.

IDEA is the special education law that governs how students come to be tested and labeled.

Every regular ed teacher worth his/her "salt" differentiates to meet the needs of every student. This could be considered accommodations.

If a student has a 504 plan which is governed by the Office of Civil Rights, basically a step below special education (IEP), he/she can also have accommodations.

Answer 2

This is not true.  I am a Special Education teacher.  Someone must refer the student to be tested for a disability.  Before the testing process begins, the student must receive interventions decided on by a special education team and see if those interventions help the student with his/her issue.  Several different interventions are tried and if none are successful, then the testing process begins.  It consists of an intelligence test and other testing to determine if the child has major discrepancies in any area of learning.  If the school psychologist does find reason for the child to be in special education he reports this in a formal report which is called a MFE (multi-factored evaluation.)  The parents are called in to hear the results and determine at that time if they want services to start for their child.  If they do, an IEP (individual education program) is designed for the student.  This program is written by the special education teacher but is reviewed with the child's team and parent at a formal meeting.  If everyone agrees that the IEP covers the major areas of concern, the document is signed and services begin. At this time, there can also be changes made to the IEP or the parent may want something else covered in the IEP that wasn't addressed.  What your son's teacher was probably referring too was the interventions that are implemented before it has been decided that the child actually needs testing for formal services.  That is okay, but make sure that someone informs you of the interventions and whether or not they were successful, so that you as the parent can say that things are not getting any better and you want the formal testing to begin.  You should be informed of progress along each step of the process.  I hope this helps you and others may thinks of things I didn't address.  Good luck!

Answer 3

A parent, teacher, etc. must request in writing to have IEP Test on the child/student. The request can be given to the school special education dept, school principal, local district office, or the main school dictrict ofc for your area; address to the Division of Special Ed.

The school then has a prescribed amount of time, approximately 60 days, to conduct an IEP Test. Parental involvement is crucial from this point forward. You will need to provide consent, complete some forms/questionaires, and attend the IEP Test Result meeting. If you have questions...ASK THEM! If you do not understand something...SAY IT! If you disagree with the findings, results, etc., refer to the Safeguards and Procedures Guide for the complaint steps and process.

If the IEP Test identifies a physical, mental or learning disability, at the IEP result meeting you will be informed of the findings and recommendations/accommodations. You will be offered an education plan and given the option to accept or reject services.

If you live in California you should refer to the following links to find out you and your child's rights, as well as information regarding contacts, chains of command, procedures, services, etc available to you.

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/om050900....



http://www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.o...

http://www.sjcoe.org/selpa/files/Parent_...

****Word of Caution, if you believe in God, PRAY ALL THE TIME! Dealing with the beaucracy, mentality, and attitudes of SOME public school and district personnel will be difficult at times, but not everyone is that way and there are teachers, staff, officials and other parents that genuinely do care about the best interest of the kids. "Stay the course, because your child is worth it." Keep cool, keep notes, copy everything,  be patient, ask questions, demand answers, stay tactful and note the chain of command in the links above...from my personal experience, NOTHING gets results faster than escalating unresolved issues to a superior.****  

Just so you know, even the state Department of Education has a superior. Know your rights and exercise them, you and the kid will be fine...and I've said a prayer for you too.

Answer 4

A student may be referred for a special education evaluation given the parent  or school has legitimate concerns about that child's progress.  Once the pre-referral is made the district has 45 school days to test the child and convene a meeting.  Findings are then discussed and placement for the child is decided.  Some children may have simple gaps in learning or a learning disability.  504 plans come into place when a child does not have either of the above stated.  Many school districts are wary of 504's because they require resources that quite frankly, many schools are not prepared to deal with such issues.

Answer 5

they need to be identified as needing accommodations by the Child Study Team based on  IDEA

so no-not everyone would get them on request

Answer 6

To elaborate on the idea of a 504 plan...

A 504 plan is issued for students who may require accommodations due to medical needs.  Accommodations may include extra time, small group or individual testing environment, etc.  Many students have 504 plans due to ADHD (which can now qualify an individual under IDEA if it is severe enough) and diabetes.

Answer 7

UGH! Yet ANOTHER school lying so the parent won"t ask for special ed, because schools don't want to help kids thru special ed!!

OK, A child does have to be in special ed to have an IEP plan and accomodations. A child who is NOT in special ed can not have these.

NOW, some schools will SAY they will help a child with these things even though a child does nto have an IEP plan, BUT schools are not legally obligated to do this. So, they can stop this help at any time, or say they are helping when they are really not.

504 plans are NOT the same as special ed and having an IEP plan. Kids CAN have 504 plans without being in special ed, but with this they do NOT get specialized help for their learning problems.

They only get  accomodations and modifications to help them COPE with what they CAN"T do.

A cop out for schools who should be teaching the kids HOW to LEARN instead of letting them COPE with NOT knowing HOW to LEARN.

Answer 8

Many regular educators can get the terms confused...it's not their specialty.  They need to be identified and meet the requirements as set forth by the state's special education board.  Sometimes these are much easier to qualify for as they do not state specific diagnosis.  

If your child is 9 or less, he or she may qualify for developmentally disabled.  Even less requirements for this label.  

When you have your first IEP meeting ask the special education teacher for more info.