ASSET DIVISION
Special Education Counsel
The Mulinazzi Law Firm has help your family when it comes to special education counsel for you and your child. Your child’s education is an issue that will affect them beyond their school years and you, as a parent, want them to succeed in their academic career. Our firm can counsel your family to ensure that your child is able to navigate the school’s curriculum based on their abilities. Whether your child needs specialized instruction or accommodations within general education, our attorneys will advocate on your child’s behalf to ensure that your child has a school setting that is specific and appropriate for their abilities. Every child learns differently, and one educational system cannot realistically teach every student.
Should I have representation with me when meeting school officials about my child’s accommodations?
The law requires that every child have a free, appropriate public education. If the public school system is not providing this basic right, our attorneys will strategically advocate for enhanced services or for a private setting for your child. Our attorneys have navigated both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Both are similar in some ways but very different in others. This chart compares them side by side to help you understand the differences.
| IEP | 504 Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Description | A blueprint or plan for a child’s special education experience at school. | A blueprint or plan for how the school will provide support and remove barriers for a student with a disability. |
| What It Does |
Provides individualized special education and related services to meet a child’s unique needs. These services are provided at no cost to families. |
Provides services and changes to the learning environment to enable students to learn alongside their peers. As with an IEP, a 504 plan is provided at no cost to families. |
| What Law Applies |
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) This is a federal special education law for children with disabilities. |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 This is a federal civil rights law to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. |
| Who’s Eligible |
To get an IEP, there are two requirements: 1. A child has one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA. The law lists specific challenges, like learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and others. 2. The disability must affect the child’s educational performance and/or ability to learn and benefit from the general education curriculum. The child must need specialized instruction to make progress in school. |
To get a 504 plan, there are two requirements: 1. A child has any disability. Section 504 covers a wide range of different struggles in school. 2. The disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom. Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability than IDEA. (It says a disability must substantially limit one or more basic life activities. This can include learning, reading, communicating, and thinking.) That’s why a child who doesn’t qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan. |
| Independent Educational Evaluation |
Families can ask the school district to pay for an independent educational evaluation (IEE) by an outside expert. The district doesn’t have to agree. Families can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves, but the district may not give it much weight. |
Doesn’t allow families to ask for an IEE. As with an IEP evaluation, families can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves. |
| Who Creates It |
There are strict legal requirements about who participates. An IEP is created by an IEP team that must include: · The child’s parent or caregiver · At least one of the child’s general education teachers · At least one special education teacher · School psychologist or other specialist who can interpret evaluation results · A district representative with authority over special education services With a few exceptions, the entire team must be present for IEP meetings. |
The rules about who’s on the 504 team are less specific than they are for an IEP. A 504 plan is created by a team of people who are familiar with the child and who understand the evaluation data and special services options. This might include: · The child’s parent or caregiver · General and special education teachers · The school principal |
| What’s in It |
The IEP sets learning goals and describes the services the school will provide. It’s a written document. Here are some of the most important things the IEP must include: · The child’s present levels of academic and functional performance—how the child is currently doing in school · Annual education goals for the child and how the school will track progress · The services the child will get—this may include special education, related, supplementary, and extended school year services · The timing of services—when they start, how often they occur, and how long they last · Any accommodations—changes to the child’s learning environment · Any modifications—changes to what the child is expected to learn or know · How the child will participate in standardized tests · How the child will be included in general education classes and school activities |
There is no standard 504 plan. Unlike an IEP, a 504 plan doesn’t have to be a written document. A 504 plan generally includes the following: · Specific accommodations, supports, or services for the child · Names of who will provide each service · Name of the person responsible for ensuring the plan is implemented |
| Notice |
When the school wants to change a child’s services or placement, it has to tell families in writing before the change. This is called prior written notice. Notice is also required for any IEP meetings and evaluations. Families also have “stay put” rights to keep services in place while there’s a disagreement about the IEP. |
The school must notify families about an evaluation or a “significant change” in placement. Notice doesn’t have to be in writing, but most schools do so anyway. |
| Consent | A parent or caregiver must consent in writing for the school to evaluate a child. They must also consent in writing before the school can provide the services in an IEP. | A parent or caregiver’s consent is required for the school district to evaluate a child. |
| How Often It’s Reviewed and Revised |
The IEP team must review the IEP at least once a year. The child must be reevaluated every three years to determine whether services are still needed. |
The rules vary by state. Generally, a 504 plan is reviewed each year and a reevaluation is done every three years or when needed. |
| How to Resolve Disputes |
IDEA gives families several ways to resolve disputes (usually in this order): · Mediation · Due process complaint · Resolution session · Civil lawsuit · State complaint · Lawsuit |
Section 504 gives families several options for resolving disagreements with the school: · Mediation · Alternative dispute resolution · Impartial hearing · Complaint to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) · Lawsuit |
| Funding/Costs |
Students receive these services at no charge. States receive additional funding for students with IEPs. |
Students receive these services at no charge. States do not receive extra funding for students with 504 plans. But the federal government can take funding away from programs (including schools) that don’t meet their legal duty to serve kids with disabilities. IDEA funds can’t be used to serve students with 504 plans. |
as ssssIt is best to attend an IEP or 504 meeting with an attorney or involve an attorney prior to litigation to reduce conflict and to resolve disputes early and to help navigate which type of plan is best for your child.
Our attorneys have been involved in special education matters not only as legal advocates but personally as teachers. We are knowledgeable, not only about the law, but we also know the medical terminology, school policies, and teacher and administrator expectations that is needed to fully advocate for your family. We hope to work with you to help create a learning environment where your child feels confident, independent, and capable.
Call MLO/Mulinazzi Law Office (410-290-6270), our award-winning attorneys have helped families negotiate the best educational plans for your child as their and can help you navigate this process for your own family as your special education counsel.