Both (IEPs) and can formal help for K–12 students with learning and attention issues. They’re similar in some ways but quite different in others. This chart compares them side-by-side to help you understand the differences. Basic A blueprint or plan for a child’s experience at A blueprint or plan for how a child will have Description school. access to learning at school. What It Provides individualized special education and to Provides services and changes to the learning meet the unique needs of the child. environment to meet the needs of the child as Does adequately as other students. These services are provided at no cost to parents. As with IEPs, a 504 plan is provided at no cost to parents. Who Is To get an IEP, are two requirements: To get a 504 plan, there are two requirements: Eligible A child has one or more of the listed in A child has any disability, which can IDEA. Learning and attention issues may include many learning or attention qualify. issues. The disability must affect the child’s The disability must interfere with the educational performance and/or ability to child’s ability to learn in a general learn and benefit from the . education classroom. Section 504 has a than IDEA. That’s why a child who doesn’t qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan. Parents can ask the school district to pay for Doesn’t allow parents to ask for an IEE. As with an (IEE) by an outside expert. The district doesn’t an IEP evaluation, parents can always pay for an have to agree. outside evaluation themselves. Parents can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves, but the district may not give it much weight. Who There are strict legal requirements about who The about who’s on the 504 team are less Creates the participates. An IEP is created by an that must specific than they are for an IEP. include: A 504 plan is created by a team of people who The parent are familiar with the child and who understand the evaluation data and special services options. At least one of the child’s general education This might include: teachers The child’s parent At least one special education teacher General and special education teachers
Both (IEPs) and can formal help for K–12 students with learning and attention issues. They’re similar in some ways but quite different in others. This chart compares them side-by-side to help you understand the differences. Basic Description A blueprint or plan for a child’s experience at school. A blueprint or plan for how a child will have access to learning at school. What It Does Provides individualized special education and to meet the unique needs of the child. These services are provided at no cost to parents. Provides services and changes to the learning environment to meet the needs of the child as adequately as other students. As with IEPs, a 504 plan is provided at no cost to parents. Who Is Eligible To get an IEP, are two requirements: A child has one or more of the listed in IDEA. Learning and attention issues may qualify. The disability must affect the child’s educational performance and/or ability to learn and benefit from the . To get a 504 plan, there are two requirements: A child has any disability, which can include many learning or attention issues. The disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom. Section 504 has a than IDEA. That’s why a child who doesn’t qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan. Parents can ask the school district to pay for an (IEE) by an outside expert. The district doesn’t have to agree. Parents can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves, but the district may not give it much weight. Doesn’t allow parents to ask for an IEE. As with an IEP evaluation, parents can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves. Who Creates the There are strict legal requirements about who participates. An IEP is created by an that must include: The parent At least one of the child’s general education teachers At least one special education teacher The about who’s on the 504 team are less specific than they are for an IEP. A 504 plan is created by a team of people who are familiar with the child and who understand the evaluation data and special services options. This might include: The child’s parent General and special education teachers