IEP vs. 504 Plan: Key Differences Every Parent Should Know 🏫📑

IEP vs. 504 Plan: What’s the Difference? 🤔

If your child has a disability or learning challenge, you’ve probably heard about IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and 504 Plans—but what’s the difference?

Here’s a clear, side-by-side comparison so you know which plan best supports your child’s needs.

📌 Basic Definitions

✔ IEP – A detailed plan outlining individual learning needs, specialized instruction, and related services for students with disabilities.

✔ 504 Plan – A plan that provides accommodations (not specialized instruction) to help students access the general curriculum on an equal level.

💡 Think of an IEP as a personalized roadmap for learning, while a 504 Plan levels the playing field with accommodations.

📌 What Each Plan Does

Feature	IEP	504 Plan
Purpose	Provides specialized instruction & related services	Provides accommodations to access learning
Services Included	Special education, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.	Classroom accommodations (extra time, preferential seating, etc.)

📌 What Law Applies?

✔ IEP – Covered under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

✔ 504 Plan – Falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

💡 IDEA provides more legal protections, while Section 504 has a broader definition of disability.

📌 Who Qualifies?

Eligibility	IEP	504 Plan
Who qualifies?	Students with one of 13 specific disabilities under IDEA. Disability must significantly impact academic performance.	Any student with a disability that impacts learning but does not require specialized instruction.
Examples of qualifying disabilities	Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Intellectual Disabilities, Emotional Disturbances, Hearing/Vision Impairments	ADHD, Anxiety, Chronic Illnesses (Diabetes, Epilepsy, etc.), Mild Learning Disabilities

💡 More students qualify for a 504 Plan because the definition of disability is broader than IDEA’s criteria for an IEP.

📌 Who Creates the Plan?

✔ IEP Team (Legally Required Members):

• Parent/Guardian

• General Education Teacher

• Special Education Teacher (Intervention Specialist)

• District Representative (Administrator)

✔ 504 Plan Team (No Legal Guidelines):

• Usually includes parent, teacher, and administrator, but varies by school.

💡 IEP meetings follow strict legal guidelines, while 504 Plan meetings are less structured.

📌 What’s Included in the Plan?

Plan Details	IEP	504 Plan
Annual Goals	✔ Yes	❌ No
Specialized Instruction	✔ Yes	❌ No
Accommodations	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Modifications to Curriculum	✔ Yes	❌ No
Related Services (Speech, OT, PT, etc.)	✔ Yes	❌ No

💡 IEPs include specific learning goals, while 504 Plans focus only on accommodations.

📌 Parent Rights & Consent

✔ IEP:

• Parents must sign consent for evaluation and services.

• Schools must provide Prior Written Notice before changes are made.

✔ 504 Plan:

• Parents must sign consent for evaluation but not for accommodations.

• Schools must notify parents of evaluations or major changes but are not required to provide written notice.

📌 Plan Reviews & Re-Evaluations

Plan Review	IEP	504 Plan
Reviewed Annually?	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Re-Evaluation?	Every 3 years	Typically every 3 years (varies by state)

💡 Both plans are reviewed annually, but IEPs have stricter re-evaluation guidelines.

📌 How to Resolve Disputes

✔ IEP Dispute Options:

• Mediation

• Due process complaint

• Resolution session

• Civil lawsuit

• State complaint

✔ 504 Plan Dispute Options:

• Mediation

• Alternative dispute resolution

• Impartial hearing

• Complaint to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

• Lawsuit

💡 IEP disputes go through a structured legal process, while 504 disputes are handled through OCR or the courts.

Which Plan Is Right for Your Child? 🤷‍♀️

📌 Your child may need an IEP if:

✔ They require specialized instruction and services to meet their learning needs.

✔ Their disability significantly impacts academic progress.

📌 Your child may need a 504 Plan if:

✔ They only need accommodations to access the general curriculum.

✔ Their disability does not require specialized instruction but still affects their learning.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Rights & Advocate for Your Child 💪

🚀 IEPs and 504 Plans exist to support students, but it’s up to parents to ensure the right plan is in place.

If your child isn’t getting the support they need, speak up, ask questions, and request changes.

💡 Still unsure which plan fits best? Drop your questions below! 👇

📞 Call or text: 614-470-4466

📧 Email: admin@achievepsychology.org

🌐 Visit: www.achievepsychology.org

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