Yes, you CAN get shortened work with a 504 plan. My son takes forever to write, so they have cut out some of the redundant writing that the other kids have to do. My daughter also only has to do the "odd" numbers of her math problems. If your child has a therapist or a psychiatrist, have them call the school directly and tell them that they NEED their workload cut down. They usually have more clout!

Good luck! Debi

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What is 504 plan?

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Tricia: A Section 504 Plan is a plan to help your child get through the school day with some listed accommodations/modifications for many things the teachers and people around your child can help them complete their day. Go to the NCLB site (sorry I don't know how to connect)-- just google, NCLB, ADHD, IEP, etc. and you will find lots of stuff.

A Section 504 plan = If we think it will help and we are willing to make use of the listed accommodations, we will TRY. Big word that-try. an IEP = The National/State laws REQUIRE that we meet and use the listed accommodations/modifications to help your child complete their schoolwork, school day.

There is a difference and the School Districts will try to go for the less costly one = Section 504. An IEP can be of more assistance in the long-run for your child by helping them get through the day, through the year, and especially if they continue to college in the future an IEP can continue in a slightly different way to help your child stay on track with the help of the school district, teachers, counselors, etc.

Too many parents are not made aware of what their rights are and only what the school and district is willing to offer. You have more rights that you know, research, research, research. And if you can find one, get an experienced advocate (not one given by the School District either-they can help but don't depend upon them necessarily to really help you get what you need—remember they are working for the School District that has to pay for these accommodations/modifications where there is a cost issue).

I don't want to sound so negative in my comments, it's just that too many people still think we, as parents of these special./challenged children are still uninformed enough not to get anything. A good lawyer, advocate, even a teacher that is willing to help and knows the law and what is really needed for a Section 504 and/or IEP can be of more help than any school district committee. Their job is to keep costs down first, help the child second. I've been on the same road for 11 years and I have a teacher/who wrote IEPs for her students, come with me for 2 meetings and after the 1st meeting guidance, school psychologist and social worker determine my kid needs an IEP! She knew the jargon. Gee, I have been asking for the same things, know just as much as she did and yet was refused for all these years. Advocates can be very helpful if they know the law. She has helped me learn that Parents Rule where their kids are concerned on many items and the school districts actually have little to fight. Learn NCLB laws, section #s, acronyms, etc. and many times you will get more attention to help your child.

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My son in HS has the following on his 504 plan; The middle school wasn't so receptive to most of these issues and he failed most of his middle school classes. He is now getting A's and B's because of these modifications.

Teachers must communicate weekly via e-mail as to any missing papers or behaviors issues

I send a weekly reminder on Wednesday's and expect a reply within 48 hours or I let the 504 coordinator know and she lets me know what happened that there is no reply, sometimes the teacher is gone, etc.

Once they communicate with me, he has until the following Monday to turn in any missing work and get full credit; after that it is 5% lost points per day.

that is providing he has all the needed paperwork, instructions, etc. Even if he lost the paperwork, instructions, etc. that is still required by the teacher to get to him or he has until the following Monday. I usually let the teacher know he needs another copy, but I tell our son he has to also get a copy.

This is the main thing that has helped our son, there are other organizational skills that he is suppose to keep trying, like using an agenda, or planner, having a notebook for each class, having a homework folder. But we have found that he doesn't organize in this manner, so we let this slide.

Hope this helps

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Butterfly said: I asked my son's guidance counselor, if we could have his assignments shortened with his 504 Plan? She said no; that he would need an IEP for that? Is this true? I thought I knew of kids who had modified work under 504? Please help!!!!

I have a very helpful, receptive principal, and with especially the weekly emails, my son is achieving all A's and B's in school.

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I have two children with learning problems one is in middle school with ADHD the other a Jr. in High school with ADD I am just now hearing about these IEP's who do I approach for this, the counselor or principal?

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