Rezoning concerns

[AmberMom]

My son will be going into the third grade next school year. He will also be rezoned to a different school. He has ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder which with the two mimics autism at times. Our state starts standardized testing in third grade which puts a lot of stress on students already. My son doesn't do well with change. So much so that he struggles appropriate clothes based on weather. (Such as if it's hot out he will want to have long-sleeved shirts and pants on and typically will go the whole day in a hoodie) He has fallen behind this year and is already concerned about the "BIG" test next year. I'm extremely worried that with already falling behind, stress of the test, and a change in schools will be too much for him. Our school district only has a school choice request form which is basic child's name, grade, zoned for what school, and wants to attend which school. I submitted a form and received notification that my son is waitlisted for the school he is at now. We just had a 504 plan meeting were I spoke my concerns and I was told that the choice seats are picked at random. Is there anything else I can do to help my son? I don't know all the ins and outs to a 504 plan. So, I can't stop this feeling that  there's more I can do to help keep my son at his current school. I just don't know what there is for me to do from the information I have.

[Lisa Lightner]

You are absolutely right to follow that gut feeling—there is more you can do.

1. Push for an IEP Instead of a 504

Right now, your son has a 504 Plan, which only provides accommodations. But based on what you’re describing—falling behind academically, difficulty with transitions, sensory regulation challenges—he may actually qualify for an IEP under "Other Health Impairment" (OHI) or even Autism (if he shares characteristics).

Next Step: Request a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) in writing for special education services. Schools must evaluate once you put it in writing. If they refuse, ask for a Prior Written Notice (PWN) explaining why.

2. Use the 504 Plan to Strengthen His Case

If they deny the IEP (or while you wait for the evaluation), strengthen his 504 Plan to address his specific needs:
✔ Transition Support: A written transition plan to help him adjust to the new school (e.g., scheduled visits, meeting teachers ahead of time, social stories about the new environment).
✔ Sensory Accommodations: A sensory plan that allows him to wear specific clothing, access cool-down spaces, and take sensory breaks.
✔ Test Anxiety Support: Structured test prep in small groups, breaks during testing, and alternative testing environments if needed.
✔ Academic Interventions: If he’s already behind, push for structured academic support (extra reading/math help, executive functioning coaching, etc.).

Many parents don’t realize that 504 Plans can be extremely detailed—schools just tend to do the bare minimum unless parents push.

3. Fight the School Transfer Decision

School choice may be “random” in theory, but disability-related requests are different. You can argue that moving him violates Section 504 because it creates a significant barrier to his access to education due to his disabilities.

Next Steps:
Request a 504 Meeting (in writing) to amend his plan and add “continuity of placement” as a necessary accommodation.
Ask for an IEP/504 Transfer Appeal: If your district has an appeals process, file one with documentation stating that the school change will cause “educational harm” due to his disabilities.
Use Medical Documentation: If his doctor, therapist, or any provider agrees that changing schools will negatively impact him, get it in writing. A letter from a professional can carry weight in keeping his placement.

4. Alternative Options if They Say No

If they still refuse to keep him at his current school:
Consider a Homebound/Hybrid Option: Some districts allow students to attend their home school part-time for core classes and do others online or at home.
Advocate for Extra Support at the New School: If you must move schools, make sure they create a detailed transition plan before next year.

5. Bottom Line

• Ask for an IEP evaluation (this gives you more legal protections).
• Strengthen his 504 Plan to include accommodations for the school transition.
• Fight the school reassignment under Section 504 (continuity of placement).
• Use medical/therapist letters to support his case.

You do have options here, and you’re absolutely right to push for what’s best for him.

For as bad as your situation might feel now, most school situations are worse, in my experience.

https://adayinourshoes.com/vouchers-school-choice-bad/

More to read:

https://adayinourshoes.com/difference-504-iep/
https://adayinourshoes.com/extended-time-on-tests/
https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-prior-written-notice-pwn/

[JSD24]

Students shouldn't be falling behind - it's a red flag.  There is saying that ADHD never travels alone.  2 of my children got an ADHD diagnosis & proved this correct.  One has ADHD & autism; the other has ADHD & dysgraphia.  There are other disabilities that co-occur with ADHD and dyslexia and dyscalculia are 2 of them.

His falling behind has me thinking that the school hasn't assessed all areas of suspected disability because, with a 504, it infers that students are being given accommodations and that's all they need to have the same access to their education as their nondisabled classmates.  If the school missed something, a student might fall behind but the solution is the school doing additional evaluations.  So long as they don't redo an eval that was done within the last 12 months, they can do more evaluations to help figure out why he has accommodations and is still falling behind.  I'd request this in writing so you have a paper/email trail.  (BTW, all states are required to have standarized testing in grades 3-8 and once in HS.  It is part of ESSA and NCLB before that.)  Maybe you can explain to him that these tests were put in place to see how well teachers are doing their job and it's a reflection on them - not the students - with how well he does.

If your child does end up in a different school next year, there are ways to make that transition easier.  This includes having him tour the school - maybe more than once.  Introducing him to his future classmates and teachers.  With being more familiar, it should help make the transition smoother.  This could be an accommodation that's added to his current 504.  And while you're at this meeting, you could ask for an accommodation that he stay in his current school because 504 & IEP teams can override school policy.  (Just be aware that staying might mean the you need to provide transportation.  My school has allowed this provided the parents get their child to/from school.)