Section 504 and Its Importance by Ms. Garza https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt Module 1 Activity en-us 2019-01-19 17:58:00 UTC 2019-01-22 07:51:44 UTC hello@padlet.com agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322422356 Upon graduating from Angelo State University with a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, I hope to gain employment as a middle school counselor in the district that I currently work in. I plan to spend the entirety of my counseling career working in schools that encompass a high rate of students with low socioeconomic statuses and backgrounds. 

]]> 2019-01-19 19:23:39 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322422356 Top 5 According to a Current Professional agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322429331 I spoke with Lauren Lansford, the current Lead Counselor for a title one urban middle school located in Houston, TX about legal and ethical issues currently impacting her profession. 

1.     Various schools in Houston and surrounding areas have dealt with an influx of students enrolling into schools with the "homeless" status, after Harvey affected nearly the entire city. Through the McKinney-Vento Act, schools are required to enroll a student regardless of where they currently reside and must even provide transportation in certain situations. Some students are having to travel on a school bus for longer than an hour to attend our campus. 

2.     Issues of mental health and teen suicide are an increasingly top priority for most Texas schools. Due to the current traumatic events that have affected our students (i.e., Hurricane Harvey and Santa Fe school shooting) in Houston and surrounding areas, an influx of mental health trainings and professional developments have nearly doubled. 

3.     In regard to confidentiality, it is imperative that a counselor adheres to the Ethical Standards of a School Counselor. Although false, most teachers assume they are entitled to all information regarding students and thus, counselors must be proficient in dealing with confidentiality issues.

4.     Because school counselors work closely with students who receive 504 services, it is imperative that counselors are up to date on 504 legislation. 

5.     School counselors also work closely with students with dyslexia. The laws are constantly changing and a student could easily lose out on the necessary accommodations to be successful in class if the counselor does not stay up to date with the requirements. 
]]> 2019-01-19 21:04:41 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322429331 Education Week agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322836302 The first article that was observed discussed a popular website used by teachers all over the United States called "Teachers Pay Teachers." The article discusses whether or not the website promotes and/or encourages the infringement of intellectual property.  The article also brings forth a widespread discussion on whether or not teachers should expect monetary compensation when sharing materials with colleagues (Schwartz, 2018).  ]]> 2019-01-22 04:04:31 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322836302 Education Week agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322845259 This article discussed a New Jersey court case that prohibits the state from mandating the passing of two state exams in order for students to graduate (The Associated Press, 2019)]]> 2019-01-22 05:24:23 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322845259 Section 504 agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322846214 I was very intrigued by the conversation that I had with Lauren Lansford in regard to Section 504. Counselors are responsible for ensuring that students are receiving the accommodations and modifications deemed necessary and appropriate via the 504 plan. As a special education teacher, I deal with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) on a daily basis, but have yet to work with students who qualify for a 504 plan. ]]> 2019-01-22 05:35:01 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322846214 Academic Source agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322847373 This academic source, also located online, discusses the procedures, placement, and process under Section 504 (Office for Civil Rights, 2010). ]]> 2019-01-22 05:47:16 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322847373 Electronic Source agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322847433 During my quest for more information regarding Section 504, I came across a website by the Office for Civil Rights (2018), which gave a quick introduction as to what Section 504 entails and addressed frequently asked questions regarding Section 504. ]]> 2019-01-22 05:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322847433 agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322854759 Office for Civil Rights. (2010). Student placement in elementary and secondary school and 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo16757 

Office for Civil Rights. (2018). Protecting students with disabilities. U.S. Department of 

Education. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

Schwartz, S. (2018). On ‘Teachers Pay Teachers,’ some sellers are profiting from stolen work. 

Education Week. 38(18). Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/12/19/on-teachers-pay-teachers-some-sellers-are.html

The Associated Press. (2019). N.J. court strikes down high school graduation test requirements. 

Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/12/31/court-

strikes-down-high-school-graduation_ap.html

]]> 2019-01-22 06:50:47 UTC https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322854759 Section 504 and Its Importance agarza71 https://padlet.com/agarza71/b2qqr2uqhbxt/wish/322857865 Section 504 is a federal law that was designed to protect those with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding. Through Section 504, the exclusion or discrimination of people with disabilities from any program that receives federal funding is prohibited and unlawful. Schools are required to provide a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities by providing services that meet a student’s individual needs to the same extent as the needs of nondisabled students are met. In order for a student to qualify for Section 504, a student muse have a physical or mental impairment that limits at least one major life activity, has a record  of such an impairment, or regarded as having such an impairment (Office for Civil Rights, 2010, 2018). 

Because the school counselor manages students who are protected through Section 504, becoming familiar with the requirements, legislature, and details is key. According to the Office for Civil Rights, OCR (2018), numerous complaints are filed in regard to Section 504. Of the complaints filed in regard to Section 504, most pertain to the identification of students who are covered under Section 504 and to the means to obtain an appropriate education.  As a future counselor, it is imperative that I am familiar with Section 504 and understand the aforementioned issues in an effort to minimize complaints and ensure that students protected by Section 504 are appropriately served. 

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