504 vs. IEP: What’s the difference?

Guest Post from Heather Wright, IEP Coach and Advocate

I'm Heather, an IEP coach and certified special ed teacher, and I get a lot of questions from parents about 504 plans vs IEPs. I get it - the differences can be super confusing! Let me break it down for you…

504 Plans: 

504 plans give accommodations to students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (civil rights act). In order for a student to be eligible for a 504 plan, a student must have a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.” This could be anything from ADHD to diabetes to anxiety and more.  A medical diagnosis might be required (check with your individual state).

These plans are handled by the school's 504 coordinator. They allow students to access learning just like their peers without disabilities. General education teachers provide the accommodations - extra time, preferred seating, using a laptop are all examples of possible accommodations.

504 plans are reviewed each year to make sure the accommodations are still right for the student. But you can request a meeting any old time if you have concerns!

IEPs:

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which is special education law.  IDEA ensures that children with disabilities receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to meet their unique needs, and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. IEPs are valid in public schools.

To be eligible for an IEP, a student has to meet the criteria for one of the 13 specific disability categories listed in IDEA (intellectual disability, hearing impairment, speech or language impairment, visual impairment, emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities) AND a student's disability has to negatively impact their educational performance and require specially designed instruction. IEPs are created by a team - parents, teachers, specialists, and more. 

They outline super specific goals - special education services like speech or occupational therapy, accommodations, and extra support. Special education teachers provide the specialized instruction outlined in the IEP.

IEPs are reviewed annually, and eligibility is reevaluated every 3 years. More frequent meetings can happen too if there are concerns.

In summary: 

- 504 Plans provide accommodations, reviewed annually. 

- IEPs deliver specially designed instruction for educational success, reviewed yearly. Eligibility is reassessed every 3 years.

I know it can be hard to keep 504 plans and IEPs straight. If you need any help understanding or advocating for your child's unique needs, just reach out! I'm always happy to explain and answer questions. You aren’t alone!