Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities One-Pager Library (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE)
Description:
This One-Pager Library contains important information for families, including the difference between IEPs and 504 Plans, handling disagreements about your child's special education program, your Parental Rights and more.
Link(s):
This one-pager provides families with a quick reference guide that explain the differences between Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans
If you and the school division come to a place where you are in disagreement about your child’s special
education program and are having trouble moving beyond it, there are dispute resolution options available to you through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). These options include: facilitated Individualized Education Plan (IEP), special education mediation, due process, and complaints.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates parents’ involvement in their child’s
education. Parents serve a vital role in the decision-making process, and it is important to have an
understanding of your Parental Rights. This list is not all-inclusive.
Your child’s role in education, as in life, will continue to evolve as maturity and growth occur. Self-determination is an important attribute for all people to possess. It is developed by acquiring a set of skills
that help a person understand individual Strengths, Preferences, Interests, and Needs (SPIN).
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. If you build this habit early in preschool, your child will learn right away that going to school on time every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
Your child’s role in education, as in life, will continue to evolve as maturity and growth occur. Self determi-
nation is an important attribute for all people to possess. It is developed by acquiring a set of skills that
help a person understand individual Strengths, Preferences, Interests, and Needs (SPIN).
Parents often set goals for their children while they are very young. It’s okay to dream big! In fact, your high
expectations will be a major factor in your child’s success.
The diploma your child chooses to work toward, as well as the courses taken, needs to align with the
planned career to provide maximum opportunities for success.
For all children with disabilities identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the
IEP Team determines how the child will participate in the state’s accountability system, and for children
identified under Section 504, the 504 Committee determines how the child will participate.
The Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities One-Pager Library is located on this page of the VDOE Website.