Special Ed/504 Requests

504_NAM_SST Overview (Required Reading for All Staff!)

What is a 504 Plan?

A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A 504 Plan helps a child with special health care needs to fully participate in school. Usually, a 504 Plan is used by a general education student who is not  eligible for special education services. A 504 Plan lists accommodations related to  the child’s disability and required by the child so that he or she may participate in the general classroom setting and educational programs. For example, a 504 Plan may include:

• Plans to make a school wheelchair-accessible

• Your child’s assistive technology needs during the school day

• Permission for your child to type assignments instead of writing them by hand

• Permission for your child to hand in assignments late due to illness or a hospital 

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A 504 Plan is NOT an IEP and does not co-exist with an IEP. An IEP for a Special Education student provides accommodations AND modifications to instruction;  a 504 Plan provides accommodations ONLY, and NO modifications. 

504 And You

• Your 504 students: It is your responsibility as a teacher or staff member at Insight to know who your 504 students are and familiarize yourself with their accommodations. That information can be accessed below. 

• Progress Monitoring: Content teachers will be asked to complete surveys regarding the progress of their 504 students once per trimester. 

• If you have questions or concerns about a student's 504 plan, or if you believe a student might be in need of a 504 plan (or a parent requests one), please email me, Joe Hargrave at jhargrave@k12insightca.org with a written request. 

The NAM Process

The Needs Assessment Meeting (NAM) process begins when you notify me that a parent has requested (or that you as a staff member are requesting) special education services (as opposed to a 504 Plan!). 

I need this request in writing. If you receive the request in a phone conversation, please ask the parent to write up their request and email it to me (jhargrave@k12insightca.org). 

Once I have the request, I will contact the parent and after initial intake, refer to our school psychologist (Ismael Aranda) who will determine eligibility for assessment for an IEP.