Can a Tutor Work With My Child's IEP or 504 Plan?

Yes. I regularly work with students who have an IEP or a 504 plan. I'm not a special education provider, and I don't deliver the plan itself—that's the school's job. My role is additional support: the extra face who isn't there every day, working one-on-one to help your child stay on track and build confidence. Here's exactly how that works.

How do you work with my child's existing accommodations?

It starts with a conversation. I ask you for a clear summary of your child's learning difficulties, the accommodations and modifications the school offers, how well those are working, and what you most want to improve. That gives me what I need to build our sessions around the support your child already has—not against it.

What does honoring an accommodation look like in a session?

It's practical, minute-to-minute work. We might pause reading after a sentence or two, or after a paragraph or two, depending on your child's level. I do the same with writing. I chunk work into smaller pieces, read prompts aloud, enlarge the text, and reduce what's on the screen at once so it isn't overwhelming. Most of it comes down to patience and empathy—giving a student the time and the calm they need to actually think.

For students who are still decoding word sounds and building reading comprehension, we slow down and work at the level they're at. For students who struggle to stay focused and on task, a steady one-on-one setting removes a lot of the friction they hit in a full classroom.

Are there students you're not the right fit for?

I'll be honest with you about this. If a student needs intense supervision for behavioral concerns, or has extreme aggressive behavior, I'm not the right fit—and I'll refer you to a specialist. I've worked with students who just need a little extra time, and students who are still decoding word sounds. If a learning disability is severe, I can still work with them. But if I feel I'm not being successful, I'll tell you and point you toward someone who can help. You'll never have to guess where you stand with me.

How do you fit alongside my child's school?

I supplement what the school provides—I don't replace the special education team, and I don't deliver the IEP. Think of me as the additional support: the educator, the new face who isn't at school every day. I help coach your child to stay on track and communicate more confidently. For homeschool families, I can serve as your student's private English teacher. And when it's useful, I can communicate with your child's teachers or specialists, as long as it's done legally and properly.

What does this look like in practice?

I recently worked with a student who had a rare degenerative condition. She needed to take readings just two to three sentences at a time. I read test questions aloud and helped her eliminate the incorrect answers. Over time, she built the confidence to let me help—while still taking ownership of her own learning. That balance, support without dependence, is what I'm always working toward.

Does this work remotely?

Yes, and it's often highly effective. Remote sessions are usually less stressful for students and easier for families to fit into their day. Depending on the accommodations, I may occasionally ask a parent for a hand. I stay engaged with the student throughout the lesson, and for certain tasks I let them turn their camera off for privacy. The support is the same whether I'm across the table or across the state.

What makes you qualified for this?

I hold Texas certifications in English Language Arts and ESL, and I've spent more than ten years teaching teens and adults—and training other educators to serve students who learn differently. My roles have always been mostly teaching, with a large share of coaching and mentorship, and I've built them around one thing: an empathetic, supportive environment where students can actually grow. I know the kind of one-on-one support these students often need, because I've been doing it for a long time.

Wondering if tutoring can fit alongside your child's plan?

If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, let's talk. A free consultation is the easiest way to find out whether I'm the right fit—and I'll tell you honestly if I'm not. Reach me at info@conwaylearning.com or 832-387-6957.