In my observations this semester I have seen several children who have been evaluated and /or qualify for special education services. Because of my observations I have wondered what the state of Massachusetts sets for guidelines and eligibility for special education services. The link http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/forms/pdf/ed1.pdf shows a brief picture of what questions the schools or evaluators need to ask to determine if an evaluation is needed. The first step in deciding this brings up the question does the child have a disability? The next step asks about the progress the child is making in school. Then it is asked if this progress is being stopped in some way by the disability? The last part of this is the question about if the child needs specialized accommodations to get through the regular education curriculum? If the answer is yes to all these the child will be evaluated and probably given special education services. If the answer to any of these questions is no the child will not probably qualify for these services. However they might still qualify for a 504 plan. A 504 plan is a plan that is put together to help a child be successful at school. This child does not qualify for special education services according to the link http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=7&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Family+and+Community+Health&L4=Children+and+Youth+with+Special+Health+Needs&L5=Directions%3A+Resources+for+Your+Child's+Care&L6=Chapter+8%3A+Making+Education+Work+for+Your+Child&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_populations_special_needs_directions_c_chap8.09_504_plan&csid=Eeohhs2 . A 504 plan gives the child what he/she needs to be successful at school without receiving special education services. One example of this might be that the child is allowed more time to take a test than other children. 504 plans are backed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically section 504 of this act.
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