So here we are again: a new school year.
A new teacher. A new classroom.
Some of you are not feeling fresh—you’re feeling wary.
Last year’s education plan didn’t work. Or maybe there wasn’t a plan, but you kept getting that sinking feeling: This isn’t going the way it should.
Maybe your child struggled, but everyone said, “Let’s give it time.”
Maybe you kept hearing, “They’re so smart—they just need to try harder.”
Maybe you’re the only one who saw the tears at pickup, the late-night meltdowns, or the way your child’s light dimmed a little more each week.
And now? You don’t want to repeat that story. But you’re not sure where to begin.
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Let’s unpack what getting school support for your child might look like and what all the options are.
What’s a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan provides accommodations (not specialized instruction) for students with disabilities or health conditions that affect their learning or access to the school day.
- Extra time on tests
- Preferential seating
- Sensory or movement breaks
- Modified homework load
- Support for anxiety, ADHD, or medical needs
It’s based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a civil rights law.
What’s an IEP?
An IEP—Individualized Education Program—is a legally binding plan under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
It provides special education services, accommodations, and measurable goals tailored to your child’s needs.
- A reading specialist 3x/week
- Speech-language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Social-emotional support
- Goals for executive functioning or emotional regulation
Not sure which one applies? That’s okay. That’s part of what we help families figure out.
Signs That Last Year’s Plan Didn’t Work
- Your child made little or no academic progress
- Accommodations were inconsistently followed
- The team stopped meeting or never followed through
- Your child dreaded school—or refused to go
- You were told “they’ll grow out of it,” but nothing changed
- You received multiple behavior reports, but no clear plan emerged
- You ended the year more confused and alone than when you started
Signs This Year Might Need a New School Support Plan
- Your child is already overwhelmed in the first month
- You’re seeing after-school meltdowns or shutdowns
- Homework takes hours, and your child is in tears
- They’re having stomachaches, sleep issues, or school refusal
- You’re getting emails about attention, behavior, or falling behind
- They say things like: “I’m stupid,” “I hate school,” or “I can’t do it”
- You just know something is off—and you’re tired of being dismissed
What If You’re Just Starting to Wonder?
You don’t need a diagnosis to ask questions.
You don’t need to wait for a crisis. If your gut says, “My child is struggling in ways that school isn’t addressing”—you’re already doing the right thing by paying attention.
And yes, we can help you figure out next steps:
- Whether your child may qualify for a 504 Plan or an IEP
- What data to collect and how to ask for school evaluations
- How to approach your school team from a place of partnership, not panic
- How to prepare for meetings so you feel grounded and supported
Why Work With One of Our Education Advocates?
Because we don’t come in hot—we come in strategic, steady, and human. We’re not here to scorch the earth. We’re here to build bridges. To walk beside you. To help you show up in the room with clarity, not chaos.
We want you to be able to do all of the advocacy on your own—eventually.
We believe in starting fresh.
We believe in collaborative advocacy.
We believe in naming what didn’t work—without blaming—and crafting a plan that actually helps your child thrive in school.
And we believe that when families and schools work together (even after a rocky year), the child wins.
What To Do If You’re Concerned:
- Start taking notes—jot down behaviors, concerns, and what’s happening at home
- Request a meeting with your child’s teacher or counselor
- Ask about a Student Support Team (SST) or MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) process
- Don’t wait for perfection to advocate. You don’t need all the answers—just the courage to say, “I think something’s not working.”
Reach out to us. We’ll help you understand what options make sense, what questions to ask, and how to move forward with steadiness and compassion.
