Special Education Services
Our Assessment and Compliance Director, Mr. Walter Dubbeld, serves as the Special Education Implementer for Athens Area Schools.
Special Education Services are provided in the areas of:
Our Assessment and Compliance Director, Mr. Walter Dubbeld, serves as the Special Education Implementer for Athens Area Schools.
Special Education Services are provided in the areas of:
- Speech and Language
- Specific Learning Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cognitively Impaired
- Emotionally Impaired
- Otherwise Health Impaired
- Other Special Education services provided:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
Information:
504 Plans
A 504 plan is a type of educational plan that falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is the part of the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against public school students with disabilities. That includes students with learning and attention issues who meet certain criteria.
Similar to an IEP, a 504 plan can help students with learning and attention issues learn and participate in the general education curriculum. A 504 plan outlines how a child’s specific needs are met with accommodations, modifications and other services.
A student with a 504 plan usually spends the entire school day in a general education classroom. Children who need modifications would usually have an IEP, not a 504 plan.
504 plans are for K–12 public school students with disabilities. Section 504 defines “disability” in very broad terms. That is why children who aren’t eligible for an IEP may qualify for a 504 plan. Section 504 defines a person with a disability as someone who:
This evaluation can be initiated by either the parent or the school. If the school initiates the evaluation, we will notify the parents and get the parents’ consent to evaluate a child for a 504 plan.
When doing an evaluation for a 504 plan, the school considers information from several sources, including:
To find out more about 504 plans, below is a list of people that you may contact.
District 504 Coordinator: Walter Dubbeld 729-5427 ext. 230
East Leroy Elementary Coordinator: Lisa Guseman 729-5419
Athens High School 504 Coordinator: Lloyd Service 729-5414 ext. 208
Medical Action Plans
Medical Action Plans are developed for students that have ongoing medical problems. They are completed by the school nurse along with parents and appropriate staff. The medical action plans protect the student and meet their medical needs while here at school. In addition, it may become necessary for a student who has a medical action plan to also have a 504 plan. This would be in cases where the student’s medical problem is either interfering with the student’s success in school or in cases where additional accommodations need to be made. If a parent is satisfied that their child’s needs are being met through the Medical Action Plans, they may sign a form stating that they do not want to move to a 504 evaluation and plan.
A 504 plan is a type of educational plan that falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is the part of the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against public school students with disabilities. That includes students with learning and attention issues who meet certain criteria.
Similar to an IEP, a 504 plan can help students with learning and attention issues learn and participate in the general education curriculum. A 504 plan outlines how a child’s specific needs are met with accommodations, modifications and other services.
A student with a 504 plan usually spends the entire school day in a general education classroom. Children who need modifications would usually have an IEP, not a 504 plan.
504 plans are for K–12 public school students with disabilities. Section 504 defines “disability” in very broad terms. That is why children who aren’t eligible for an IEP may qualify for a 504 plan. Section 504 defines a person with a disability as someone who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that “substantially” limits one or more major life activity.
- Has a record of the impairment.
- Is regarded as having an impairment, or a significant difficulty that isn’t temporary. For example, a broken leg isn’t an impairment. A chronic condition, like a food allergy, might qualify a student for a 504 plan.
This evaluation can be initiated by either the parent or the school. If the school initiates the evaluation, we will notify the parents and get the parents’ consent to evaluate a child for a 504 plan.
When doing an evaluation for a 504 plan, the school considers information from several sources, including:
- Documentation of the child’s disability (such as a doctor’s diagnosis)
- Evaluation results (if the school recently evaluated the child for an IEP)
- Observations by the student’s parents and teachers
- Academic record
- Independent evaluations (if available)
To find out more about 504 plans, below is a list of people that you may contact.
District 504 Coordinator: Walter Dubbeld 729-5427 ext. 230
East Leroy Elementary Coordinator: Lisa Guseman 729-5419
Athens High School 504 Coordinator: Lloyd Service 729-5414 ext. 208
Medical Action Plans
Medical Action Plans are developed for students that have ongoing medical problems. They are completed by the school nurse along with parents and appropriate staff. The medical action plans protect the student and meet their medical needs while here at school. In addition, it may become necessary for a student who has a medical action plan to also have a 504 plan. This would be in cases where the student’s medical problem is either interfering with the student’s success in school or in cases where additional accommodations need to be made. If a parent is satisfied that their child’s needs are being met through the Medical Action Plans, they may sign a form stating that they do not want to move to a 504 evaluation and plan.
