Individualized Education Programs (IEP) vs 504 Plan
Knowing the difference between Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and 504 Plans is imperative in understanding how weight management can take place at school. IEP's and 504 Plans are educational plans that are designed to support students with disabilities and learning differences, however, they serve different purposes and have distinct features.
Who Is Eligible?
IEP
In order to be eligible for an IEP, a child must have at least 1 of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA act and this/these disabilities must affect their ability to learn to the extent that specialized education is required.
504 Plan
Eligibility for a 504 Plan is not as strict as an IEP. To get a 504 plan there are two requirements: a child has any disability and the disability interferes with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom.
IDEA act listed disabilities
Autism
Deaf-blindness
Deafness
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Visual Impairment (VI)
Orthopedic Impairment
504 plan states:
“a disability must substantially limit one or more basic life activities. This can include learning, reading, communicating, and thinking.”
Many children who do not qualify for an IEP qualify for a 504 plan
Who Creates It?
IEP
Strict legal requirements about who must be a part of the formation of an IEP
504 Plan
Not specific, anyone who is familiar with the child and understands special service options
Who must be Involved
Child’s parent or caregiver
At least one of the child’s general education teachers
At least one special education teacher
A school psychologist or other specialist who can interpret evaluation results
A district representative with authority over special education services
Examples of those Involved
The child’s parent or caregiver
General and special education teachers
The school principal
How often is it reviewed?
IEP
IEP team must review the IEP at least once a year
The child must be reevaluated every three years to determine whether services are still needed
504 Plan
Rules vary by state, generally a 504 plan is reviewed each year
Generally, reevaluation is done every three years or when needed
IEP: What's included in it?
An IEP is a written document that sets learning goals and describes the services that will be provided to the individual student.
IEP must include:
Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
Explains the students abilities and limitations
Changes every year and addresses goals and services the child should use
Measurable Annual Goals
Follows the acronym SMART: specific, measurable, agreed, relevant, and time limited
Specific: what is it exactly that you want to achieve?
Measurable: how will you know when you have achieved the goal?
Agreed: does the team, including student and family, agree on this goal?
Relevant: is this goal relevant to the needs of the student?
Time limited: when will this goal be achieved? How often will it be reviewed?
Special Services
A section that describes the special education and other related services that will be provided to the student to help them meet their goals
Students special services (where they take place, staff in charge of each service, and information of services outside of school, etc.)
Students supplementary aids (accommodations, modifications, additive technology)
State Tests
Lists accommodations and modifications to state test
If the test is deemed inappropriate for the student to take, the IEP explains why and provides another way for the student to be evaluated.
Reports
Regular reports are sent to parents in order to monitor the students progress and the effectiveness of their special education services
A students progress towards their annual goals is measured in classwork, observation, tests, quizzes, and written reports.
504 Plan: What's included in it?
There is no standard 504 plan. A 504 plan does not even have to be a written document.
504 Plan typically includes:
- Specific accommodations, supports, or services for the child
- Names of who will provide each service
- Name of the person responsible for ensuring the plan is implemented
Independent Educational Evaluation and Funding/Costs
IEP Indpendent Educational Evaluation:
Families can ask the school district to pay for an IEE by an outside expert, but the district does not have to agree
504 Plan Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Families have to pay for an IEE themselves
IEP funding/cost
Students receive these services at no charge
States receive additional funding for students with IEPs
504 Plan funding/cost
Students receive these services at no charge
States do not receive extra funding for students with 504 plans
Federal government can take funding away from schools that don’t meet their legal duty to serve kids with disabilities
IDEA funds can NOT be used to serve students with 504 plans