Salem IEP and Section 504 advocate FAQ
Answers about hiring a special education advocate in Salem, Massachusetts, including cost, timing, virtual support, and Section 504 help.
How much should I budget for one IEP meeting?
Most advocates on this directory charge $75 to $150 per hour. A standard cycle with two hours of prep and two hours in the meeting runs about $400. Travel and extra meetings cost more.
What district will be at my IEP meeting in Salem?
Most Salem families work with Salem Public Schools. Charter and magnet enrollment can change which agency owes the service, so ask that question before the first meeting.
How many days does an initial evaluation take?
Massachusetts sets its own deadline and it is 30 school working days for the assessments and 45 school working days to the Team meeting and proposed IEP. Federal law lets a state do that, so a timeline a parent reads on a national site may not be the one running here.
How many advocates on this page are based in Massachusetts?
Every card on this page names the city the advocate works from. Advocates listed under the virtual heading live somewhere else and work with families here by video or phone.
Is a 504 plan weaker than an IEP?
The short version. IEP means the school changes what is taught and how, and Section 504 means the school changes the conditions around it.