Our Schools Must Evolve: The Fight for 504 Protections, Technology in Education, and True Equity
I never imagined I’d have to fight this hard for my daughter’s right to a fair and safe education. As a parent of a child with epilepsy, I believed that the 504 Plan, designed to protect students with medical conditions and disabilities, would ensure she had the accommodations she needed. But what I’ve learned — through frustration, exhaustion, and relentless advocacy — is that just because a law exists doesn’t mean it’s properly implemented.
And now, in a time when we should be strengthening these protections, our current U.S. administration is considering eliminating 504 programs altogether — a decision that would be catastrophic for families like mine and millions of others.
At the same time, in my home state of New Jersey, there’s a push to ban cell phones in classrooms entirely, restricting students from accessing their devices during school hours. While I understand concerns about distractions, this decision is short-sighted and fails to address the root issues in education. It ignores the role technology already plays in our lives and doesn’t consider the safety, accessibility, and learning benefits of responsible device usage.
This isn’t just about my daughter. This is about how our schools are failing to evolve.
504 Plans: A Lifeline — If Implemented Correctly
A 504 Plan is supposed to protect students with medical conditions and disabilities, ensuring they receive the accommodations they need. For my daughter, this should have meant a safe learning environment that accounted for her epilepsy, ensured proper responses to medical episodes, and provided a fair chance to succeed.
Yet, time and time again, we’ve seen teachers and administrators ignore these plans, fail to uphold their responsibilities, and act as though these accommodations are “optional” — they are not. A 504 Plan is a legal requirement under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, not a suggestion. But when enforcement is weak, schools get away with disregarding them, leaving students and parents to fight battles they should never have to.
Now, there’s an even greater threat — an attempt to eliminate 504 Plans altogether. For any parent who has ever had to advocate for their child, I don’t need to explain why this would be devastating. It would erase the very foundation that gives kids like my daughter a chance at an equitable education.
The Dangerous Push to Ban Phones in Schools
New Jersey lawmakers have introduced S3695/A4882, a bill requiring school districts to implement policies restricting student cell phone and social media use during school hours, including on buses and at school events. While intended to reduce distractions, the bill raises concerns about student safety, emergency communication, and accessibility for students with medical needs. Though exceptions for emergencies exist, the real-world implementation remains unclear — leaving students like my daughter, who has epilepsy, at risk.
As a parent of a child with epilepsy, this is terrifying to me. If my daughter had a seizure, how would she be able to quickly notify me or another trusted adult? How would she communicate in an emergency? How can any student feel safe when school violence and shootings are an increasing concern?
Let’s be real — phones aren’t going away. Instead of banning them, why aren’t we figuring out how to integrate them as tools for learning?
Many students already use Chromebooks and laptops in classrooms — why can’t phones be used similarly?
Teachers could use structured phone policies to keep distractions low while allowing access when needed.
If we’re banning phones because students use them to escape boring lessons, maybe the problem isn’t the phones — it’s the outdated teaching methods.
The Real Conversation: Are We Preparing Students for the Future?
Here’s the bigger question: Are we preparing students for the world they’re actually going to live in?
Because if we’re still teaching using the same methods from 20, 30, or even 10 years ago, we are failing them.
Why aren’t we incorporating virtual learning more effectively? The pandemic showed us that remote learning is possible — but instead of refining it, many districts abandoned it entirely.
Are new teachers being trained in modern education methods? Are they learning how to adapt to hybrid learning, interactive technology, and diverse student needs?
How do we ensure all students have access to technology and the internet? We always hear “we don’t have the funds,” but if we can fund sports stadiums and high-end district renovations, we can find the money to ensure all kids have digital access.
We cannot afford to cling to outdated methods and refuse to adapt. Education should evolve with the world, not fight against it.
The Fallacy of the Anti-DEI Movement
When people say they “don’t support DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), I often wonder if they truly understand what they’re opposing.
DEI isn’t about special treatment — it’s about removing barriers that keep certain groups of people from having the same opportunities as everyone else.
If you’re against DEI, you’re saying:
❌ Students with disabilities shouldn’t receive accommodations.
❌ Low-income students shouldn’t get access to technology.
❌ Schools shouldn’t make an effort to include students from diverse backgrounds.
That’s not what education should be about. Every child, regardless of race, disability, income level, or background, deserves an equal chance. When we ignore DEI, we are knowingly allowing inequity to continue.
What Can We Do?
As parents, caregivers, and concerned citizens, we can’t be silent about these issues.
I refuse to accept:
🚫 A school system that ignores the legal protections of students with disabilities.
🚫 A government that wants to eliminate 504 Plans rather than enforce them properly.
🚫 A push to ban technology rather than teach students how to use it responsibly.
🚫 An outdated education system that refuses to evolve with the world.
Take Action Today
I’ve created several advocacy letter templates that you can use to contact:
📌 NJ State Legislators (Opposing the cell phone ban and advocating for modernized education policies)
📌 The U.S. Secretary of Education (Demanding protection of 504 Plans)
📌 Local School Boards & Administrators (Ensuring 504 compliance & fighting for tech-forward education)
📍 You can download them all at Luvjonze.com
