Mount Vernon and Lisbon would be impacted if a court case against 504s were to continue to move forward.
Iowa is one of 17 states currently involved in a lawsuit targeting the future of 504s (Texas vs. Becerra). Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird has stated that she joined the lawsuit because of President Biden’s administration including gender dysphoria as an accommodation that would be protected under Section 504, and the burdens that would impose on the state.
“The Biden-Harris Administration stopped at nothing to force illegal, transgender ideologies in our schools, even at the cost of critical classroom accommodations for kids,” said Bird. “Parents, we hear you loud and clear. No parent should have to worry about whether their kid will get the support they need in school. This lawsuit puts the full force of 17 states behind ending the woke, Biden-Harris mandate that sexualizes kids. We are protecting Section 504 accommodations for students who need it.”
Washington Elementary principal Kate Stanton said the number of students with 504s that could be impacted at Mount Vernon Schools would be between 65 to 75 students per year. That would account for roughly 5 percent of students at Mount Vernon, whose enrollment was 1,456 students this year.
Stanton further explained that 504s provide protection for students against discrimination based on disability, as well as provides equal access to educational opportunities and accommodations students need to succeed academically.
“There are so many things that are impacted by the possibility of striking down 504s,” Stanton said. “First and foremost, we are reducing support for students with disabilities. This includes not only educational disabilities but students with diabetes, visual impairments, students who are deaf or require special diets.
“Students have 504s for a variety of reasons and 504s protect these students and provide them with the accommodations they need to be successful in a variety of major life events, not just school. By striking down 504s we are increasing inequity in education, something we have fought against for so long.”
Stanton also said an unintended consequence would be additional strain to special education resources to provide that equal access to education.
“If 504s are eliminated, students are still going to require support and accommodations which may mean they need to be evaluated for special education and thus increasing the caseload of our special education teachers and support staff,” Stanton said. “By eliminating 504s it does not eliminate the need, it just makes it more challenging for all stakeholders.”
Stanton explained that 504s provide roadmap for teachers to support students, and allows teachers and staff to know what students need without having to start over every year.
“It in turn creates a learning environment for those students where they can excel,” Stanton said. “Taking this away from our students and teachers is like blindfolding them and telling them to carry on. This proposed change will be catastrophic for some of our students.”
Bird posted Thursday, Feb. 20, that the case is currently suspended due to the changeover to the Trump administration, and Trump’s administration is reviewing the current rule in 504s.
“I always have and always will protect Section 504 accommodations for Iowans who need them,” Bird said. “As a mom, I know that every child learns differently and should have the tools for success, but Biden failed Iowa kids. That is why when Biden and Harris forced transgender ideologies into schools at the expense of kids with disabilities, I fought back. I am suing to make certain kids, and Americans with disabilities, have the support they need to succeed.”