What Is a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan is a formal plan that schools develop and implement to give students with disabilities the support they need to learn in a general education classroom. These plans are created by a team of people who are familiar with the student, understand the evaluation data, and can determine specific accommodations for the student. Accommodations can include changes to the learning environment (e.g. preferred seating, rearranging schedules), changes to instruction (e.g. computer-aided instruction, note taking assistance, extra time on homework or tests), or changes to how the curriculum is presented (e.g. extra textbooks at home, enlarged print, visual aids). Accommodations do not change what kids learn, but rather support how students learn.
The need for these plans originates from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met.
Why Do Some Students Need 504 Plans?
A 504 plan should be considered when a student is not benefiting from instruction due to a physical or mental impairment. The concern can be raised by a parent or legal guardian, teacher, physician, or therapist. A 504 plan may also be considered when a student returns to school after a serious injury or illness or when a student is not eligible for special education services through an individualized education plan (IEP), but still needs extra services to learn in the classroom.
Once an educational concern is raised, the school's 504 coordinator sets a 504 planning team meeting. The team typically consists of parents, the school principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel (such as the school nurse, guidance counselor, psychologist, or social worker). Once the plan is developed by the team, all the student's teachers are responsible for implementing the accommodations in the plan. The 504 plan should be reviewed frequently to determine if the accommodations are up to date, and appropriate, based on the student's needs.
Who Do I Contact at My Student's School Regarding 504 Plans?
Each school has a 504 coordinator which is typically the principal or associate principal. You may find your child's 504 building coordinator at the information on the right side of this page. Please contact this 504 coordinator to learn more about the 504 plan process.
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