504s

What is a Section 504 Student Accommodation Plan?

The Section 504 Student Accommodation Plan documents the specific accommodations or supports the student needs to ensure that the individual needs of the student with a disability are met as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students. The comparison is to an average student in the general population. The Section 504 plan is designed to provide appropriate supports, not necessarily all of the supports that would “maximize the student’s potential” or “the best supports”. The team makes an individual determination of the student’s 3 educational needs and supports required. Like special education services, 504 plans must be implemented in the least restrictive environment.

What are “accommodations”?

Accommodations are adjustments that are designed to lessen the impact of the student’s disability to provide access to the school program. There is no “list” of approved accommodations. Accommodations should be determined individually for each student.

Who should be referred for Section 504 consideration?

Parents and teachers should refer any student who is suspected of having a physical or mental impairment and who is believed to need accommodations or supports to receive a free appropriate public education.

How is a referral made?

A parent or teacher may begin the referral process by talking to the school’s principal or assistant principal, a school 2 counselor, or the school’s 504 coordinator. Referrals will typically go to the Student Intervention Team (SIT). Sometimes referrals will go directly to a 504 team or a special education team.

What information does the team consider?

The team considers information from the parents and teachers along with any information from the student’s outside health or medical providers. If further testing is needed, the district will ask parents for their written consent for testing. Sometimes a school nurse will be involved in assessing the impact of a student’s disability at school and reviewing information from health or medical providers. For students who transfer in from another district, the team will consider information from the previous school or school district. Parents may be asked to provide a copy of previously conducted medical assessments. Parents may be asked to give written consent for the school to request medical, health, psychological, or other records. Parents may also be asked to get a medical statement or health assessment statement from the student’s health care provider.

Is a Section 504 Student Accommodation Plan the same as an IEP?

No. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is written for students who have disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These students must need special education services to be eligible for an IEP. A Section 504 Student Accommodation Plan is similar to an IEP but not as detailed. Students with disabilities under 504 who do not need special education services may have a 504 plan if they need accommodations or other supports in the school setting to access their education.