Shelly: The LSSP is telling me that my child can’t have the same accommodations in his AP class that he has in his Gen Ed class (extended test time, no miscountings for spelling errors, extra time for homework, etc). I can’t find this anywhere! My kid is failing his class (that is required at his school) due to no accommodations. I know that his accommodations need to be submitted by Feb 17 for testing purposes, but I can’t find anything about class work. Please help!
Can my daughter be allowed to use her notes to take a class test if it is in her 504 accommodations?
Prohibition Against Disability-Based Discrimination in Accelerated Programs
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20071226.html
“FAPE: In general, conditioning participation in accelerated classes or programs by qualified students with disabilities on the forfeiture of necessary special education or related aids and services amounts to a denial of FAPE under both Part B of the IDEA and Section 504.”
“ Thus, if a qualified student with a disability requires related aids and services to participate in a regular education class or program, then a school cannot deny that student the needed related aids and services in an accelerated class or program.”
“The requirement for individualized determinations is violated when schools ignore the student’s individual needs and automatically deny a qualified student with a disability needed related aids and services in an accelerated class or program. “
Can the school write into a 504 that the accommodations do not apply to any/all AP classes? They are not denying access to the classes (allowing to enroll) but denying any of the academic/assignment accommodations if the child takes them. Only allowing accommodations in “regular” classes.
This is a violation of Section 504, & guidance from the federal dept. of education.
I am beginning similar journey with my high school aged son. It seems there is a difference between accommodations and modifications. Modifications change the assignment, classwork or tests in some way. Accommodations change how the child accomplishes the assignments, classwork and tests. Accommodations are allowed by law.
I called an talked to a representative from the College Board: For an AP CLASS, the high school is bound by federal IDEA law which applies to all high school classes- they MUST honor the accommodations his IEP. The College Board has no interest or jurisdiction in the the high school classroom.
The only interest/jurisdiction that the College Board has is in the context of accommodations for the AP EXAM. (Apply through the SSD branch of the College Board for AP TEST TAKING accommodations on AP TEST Day.)
This is a very important discussion for parents to have. According to College Board (CB), the AP course is a college level class. College level courses and tests (AP, dual credit, dual enrollment, etc.) fall under ADA law, whereas K-12 education falls under the IDEA law. For this reason you have to apply through CB’s SSD to get accommodations (acc or accs) verses through IEP. Per IDEA (implementation) consideration for allowable accs on tests and class should be used regularly in the classroom setting. CB SSD has the same consideration when applying for accommodations for their tests. They want to know what the student’s documented disability is and what accommodations have been used and are recommended for the students. Based on this information they determine the allowable accommodations
This is only for the exam, not for the class. If the class is part of the high school, it doesn’t matter what level it is. It is an upper level course that all students who are otherwise qualified are eligible to take regardless of the need for accommodations or special education and related services.
I’m also interested in this question. As my son has a 504 plan already in place, but the teacher will not follow homework accommodations, stating it’s an AP class, and if he can’t keep up he should get out. However, CollegeBoard has already approved his extended time for the test. So, is extra test time the only modification by law? Any info would be helpful.
Are AP classes exempt from class accommodations?
Thank you
Some AP teachers are not educated or trained on 504/IEPs accommodations. Bottom line, teachers may not have “support structure” in place to accommodate. They need a “go to” person on staff such as a collaborative case manager. While the accommodations seems simple to us as parents to implement–to some AP teachers they seem unreasonable and extra work–that is why the case manager should educate and collaborate with that teacher. Yes, some teachers will refuse and don’t understand the law, and I put blame on the administration for not educating and training staff. Be careful, at the college level–make sure you find a college that has a well staffed disability support office as some college faculty are resistant to accommodations.
Melany, No these classes are not exempt from providing students with accommodations. As Morning says, AP teachers & often other teachers are not provided the training & support they need to know their responsibility to provide accommodations. Hopefully the district 504 coordinator knows that AP teachers are required to provide accommodations, if the campus administrators do not.
I would definitely expect the teacher to use those accommodations authorized for the tests. Other considerations like shorten assignments are not applicable to the tests, college courses, etc. Research shows that classes like AP exposes students to the rigor of real college classes, thus the validity of student’s success in AP can be compared to college success in related content. Consider the IEP and its related performance on the tests.
AP teachers are required to attend training by CB and follow the approved syllabus. Thus they are not allowed to deviate from the rigor of the course, but they can look at CB’s allowable accommodations and students current IEP to determine which is a reasonable accommodation per ADA to help the student. This definitely something to discuss before enrolling any student into an AP, SAT, ACT, Dual Credit or enrollment course. I would like to hear more per your research. Remember you can always contact CB SSD department.
Pilar – I’m confused. Are you saying the College Board has control over – determines – how IDEA and ADA is implemented in a public secondary school class? Aren’t these laws federal statutes? So, even if the IEP team has determined your child needs specific accommodations under IDEA, the CB actually determines what is reasonable in class? This doesn’t make sense to me. I understand that AP classes are typically college prep classes. But are you saying the CB controls whether or not a kid with a disability can take / be accommodated in an AP class?
This sounds counter to the law to me. I wouldn’t think that an AP teacher would be allowed to determine anything outside of what is in the IEP.