Our Blog
Why Are Students with Special Needs Often Targeted by Bullies?
As it sounds with its name, disability bullying is bullying of students with special needs because they have a disability, IEP or Section 504 Plan. But how do we define bullying? Each State has their own definition of disability bullying. For example, in...
IEP and 504 Plan Prep for a Smooth Back-to-School Transition
The start of a new school year brings lots of excitement but also uncertainty for parents of a student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Will your student with a disability get the right teacher? Will their speech language pathologist...
My Child Has An Individualized Education Plan (IEP): Can They Still Be Disciplined, Suspended Or Expelled?
Many times, students with behavior challenges are identified through a special education assessment plan as qualifying for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Parents are led to believe that the Individualized Education Plan protects students during the discipline...
My Child has an IEP but is Failing Classes! Help!
Your child has gone through the assessment process for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and your child qualifies for special education and related services. You have had multiple IEP meetings to develop the IEP and you have consented to the IEP, special...
Staff Shortages And What It Means For Your Student With A Section 504 Plan Or Individualized Education Plan (IEP or IFSP)
Despite the drastic number of teacher vacancies, school staff positions are being cut due to budget shortages across the country. Even students with Individualized Education Plans (“IEPs”) or Individualized Family Service Plans (“IFSP”s) are facing special education...
Can My Student Get An IEP In A Private School?
With the state of our educational system in flux, many parents are opting to move their students to private schools. But what happens when your student with a disability has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and moves to a private school? Will they still get...
Student Study Team: A Needed Process or a Stall Tactic?
You’ve requested an IEP assessment for special education for your student in writing. Instead of sending you a special education assessment plan or a Prior Written Notice (PWN) denying the assessment within 15 days of your request, the school schedules a Student Study...
Why Do I Need a Special Education Advocate?
Let’s be honest: the special education system is not user-friendly, especially for parents and guardians. Whether you are seeking special education services, if your student already has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or your student has a Section 504 plan...
My Child Is Struggling: How Do I Get An IEP Assessment/Evaluation And IEP?
It can be incredibly stressful and frustrating to see your student struggling in school. Where do you go for help? How do you get the assistance you know your child needs? You may have heard the terms 504 Plan and IEP but are unsure of the differences. The simplest...
Effective IEP Goals for Your Student: What you Need to Know Now
If your student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and is receiving special education or related services, they have measurable goals and objectives IEP team developed targeted to meet your student’s individual needs. At AdvocacySD, we call the IEP goals the...