Eligibility:
All parents/guardians or staff are able to request a 504 Plan for their student if there is a disability or suspected disability limiting major/daily functioning. Once a request is made, a 504 Eligibility meeting will be scheduled through the office of Dr. Dondelayo White, Director of Student Support Services. This meeting is lead by Dr. White and participants include the student, parents/guardians, and the grade level team members including 504 case manager, social worker, counselor, psychologist, dean, and nurse (if medical). If applicable, parents/guardians should send Dr. White any documentation they have with evidence of a disability and recommendations for accommodations. A determination of eligibility will be made at this meeting. If the student qualifies for a 504 Plan it is written at the Eligibility meeting and made active the next school day. Teachers are notified of the student's new 504 Plan via email.
Active 504 Plan:
Once a student has an active 504 Plan, they are assigned a case manager who is the student and parents/guardians primary contact for anything related to the 504 Plan. At the beginning of every new school year and new semester, teachers are instructed to look at each of their student rosters on TAC (Teacher Access Center) and look for any icons that indicate any sort of plan – 504, IEP, or Health. It is very clear when a student has a ‘plan’ notice, and is instantly accessible to teachers with one click. Students should review their plan at the start each school year to remind themselves of their accommodations (take a picture of your plan if you have a cell phone, or keep a copy with your materials!). It is very important for students to advocate for their needs and accommodations if they feel like they are not being met, as teachers have a lot of students with different plans and they do their absolute best to meet all students’ needs - your case manager can help with this advocacy!
Annual Review Meetings:
The team meets annually to review the 504 Plan. The case manager will reach out to the student and family to coordinate the Annual Review. There is an option for a parent/guardian to waive the Annual Review meeting if they are satisfied with the plan and no changes need to be made. The 504 Plan is fluid, and can be changed at any time through out the school year, regardless of Annual Review date. Each parent/guardian and/or team member has the right to request a 504 meeting at any time during the school year should there be a need for review and potential revision - examples include, a change in diagnosis, demonstration of significant underachievement in classes, or demonstration of significant social/emotional and/or behavioral need. Any time a 504 Plan is updated, the new plan is emailed directly to teachers within one school day.
Taking Your 504 Plan to College:
Most colleges/universities have a Department of Disabilities that will facilitate the process of transitioning your 504 Plan to their school. Once you select your college/university, contact the Department of Disabilities office, say you have a 504 Plan, and schedule an appointment to talk with a counselor. The counselor will review your accommodations and determine which are appropriate at the college level.
Exiting Your 504 Plan:
If you no longer use your 504 accommodations and your teacher reports indicate that you do not need your 504 accommodations to access your education in their classes, you may be eligible to exit your 504 Plan. If you do not feel you need your accommodations and 504 Plan, contact your 504 Case Manager who will facilitate this process. Parents can exit their child from their 504 Plan at anytime.