Difference Between an IEP and 504

The most prepared, informed and effective parents at the IEP table are often those who are organized and carry IEP Binders.  When you attend a meeting with school officials and show that you have a litany of resources at your fingertips housed in a binder, they will immediately know that you are more aware and resourceful than the average parent.  The best resource we've found for how to create a comprehensive IEP binder is from www.understood.org.  Check them out when you get a chance as they are a tremendous source for information and resources for parents and teachers of children with special learning needs.  They've created a great video on how to organize an IEP Binder as well as provide free downloads of a checklist, school contact sheet, parent-school communication logs and an IEP goal tracker.  One added suggestion we have is to rotate a 1 inch binder every year and keep your past year's records separate in a larger binder at home.  You can always bring the larger binder with you if you feel it's needed - or simply transfer specific documents to your 1 inch binder that you feel are needed or helpful to that year's IEP planning.  It's such an easy and effective way to start becoming the forceful advocate you need to be for your child!