MPC MEETING NOTES 4/26/18

Topic: IEP/504

• Strong positive relationship between admin & parents is needed
  
• Kids benefit from close collaboration or outcomes are compromised
  
• School districts not organized to do this
  
• Public schools are usually the only option
  
• Help all kids to be successful that promised dwindled (narrowed domain as in we don’t do that)
  
• Procedural law-the process that we’ll follow as we do it
  
• The process can only be appealed (95%)
  
• Last vestige is the requirement to deliver meaningful benefit which is more than the minimum but does not mean grade level
  
• What’s appropriate service and the district does not have to offer the best
  
• When appealing willing to go to hearing (attorney & experts needed to prevail)
  
• Independent evaluations to aid in appeals process
  
• Economic hurdles in appeals process but pro bono attorneys and advocates available
  
• Boston is a hard place to live with children with disabilities (18-22% kids have disabilities in Boston)
  
• Services should be described in detail
  
• AAS- Additional adult support (class of services)
  
• Parents rights (personal appeals are more effective, resolution sessions, collaborative approach with advocate)
  

• 504 is a totally unfunded mandate
  
• Geared towards children with medical conditions (ADHD among those conditions)
  
• 504 is part of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973
  
• The 504 team names the handicapping conditions
  
• No evaluations
  
• Written plans review
  
• Parent approval not required