504 Information

504 Plans...

• are not designed to fundamentally alter the program or standards of the curriculum, or expectations of the student. 

• are meant to give all students equal access to their program; they are not designed to equalize outcomes or provide an advantage. 

• are not granted solely based on physician's diagnoses. 

To be eligible for a 504 plan, a student must have a diagnosed physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.  

Under Section 504, the following are considered major life activities: 

• Caring for oneself

• Performing manual tasks

• Seeing

• Hearing

• Eating

• Sleeping

• Walking

• Standing

• Lifting

• Speaking

• Breathing

• Learning

• Reading

• Concentrating

• Working

• Bending.

The substantial limitation must have an impact on the student in the school setting in order to be eligible for a 504 plan. 

Step 1: Referral 

When a student, parent, or school staff suspects that the student may have a disability, a referral is made to the student's school counselor.

Step 2: Data Collection and Evaluation  

With parent and/or student consent (depending on the student's age), the school counselor will send out feedback forms for the students' teachers to complete to give input on the student's academic achievement, progress, behavior, and participation in class. The counselor will review the teacher feedback forms, student records, health information, and any other relevant documentation. 

Step 3: Team Review to Determine Eligibility 

The student's team will meet to determine eligibility based on a review of the information gathered. The student's counselor will lead the meeting and the team in attendance may include: the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), the student's teacher(s), an administrator, or any other relevant support personnel. 

Should the team determine that the student is eligible for a 504 plan, the team will work together to develop the student's plan. Accommodations included in the student's 504 plan will be considered necessary for accessing the curriculum but will not fundamentally alter the program, standards, or student's expectations. All teachers and school personnel with a "need to know" status relevant to the student's learning will be informed of the accommodations included in the plan. 

Step 4: Create 504 Plan

If a student is deemed eligible for a 504 plan, the team will meet to determine necessary accommodations and create the finalized 504 plan for the student. The team attending this meeting consists of the student (if desired), parent or guardian, a school counselor, one or more teacher representatives (if available), and any other relevant school staff (ex: adjustment counselor, nurse, administrator).

Step 5: Annual Review

The team will meet annually to review the student's 504 plan and determine if the student still requires the plan. Accommodations may be added, omitted, or modified based on the team's findings. 

MCAS

MCAS is an untimed test; each student receives as much time for testing as the school day allows. Other MCAS accommodations will be considered for eligible students in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Requirements for the Participation of Students with Disabilities in MCAS. 

SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP Exams 

If a student has a 504 plan, they may be eligible for accommodations on these exams. Students wishing to receive accommodations on these exams must apply and be approved for accommodations by the respective testing agencies (College Board or ACT). Please check with your school counselor regarding accommodations for these exams. 

Please Note: Among other criteria, these organizations ask the following questions when determining eligibility:

1. Does the student have a documented disability? Does the documentation support the specific ways in which this disability impacts the student's daily functioning and ability to participate in the test?

2. Does the student frequently request and use the accommodations during their school day?

3. Has the student been on a 504 Plan for at least four school months?