To get an IEP plan, a student’s disability must interfere with their ability to fully benefit from the general education curriculum, meaning that they need specialized instruction. Parents can pay for private evaluations, although schools aren’t required to adopt recommendations that come from private reports. Schools will evaluate a student to determine whether they qualify for an IEP or 504 plan. How do I know if my child needs a 504 or IEP? Most school districts try to include disabled students in classes with their nondisabled peers as much as possible, in accordance with federal law.Ī 504 plan can help a student thrive in a general education classroom with minimal disruption in their education, and it can be tailored to each education environment, such as art class or P.E., that the student experiences throughout the day. Students in special education may spend the majority of their day in general education classrooms and can receive their specialized services there, or they may spend their entire day in a special ed classroom, depending on their needs. Stay up-to-date Sign up below to receive breaking news alerts from EdSource by text message. Special education services can include physical, occupational, speech or behavioral therapy one-on-one help from a tutor or aide or instruction from special education teachers who are trained to work with students with unique needs. IEPs or 504 plans can help a student with disabilities – from minor learning disabilities to profound physical, emotional or intellectual impairments – succeed in school and beyond. What’s the advantage to having a 504 or IEP? IEPs are available to students with one 13 specific criteria such as orthopedic impairments or intellectual disabilities. 504 plans are typically available to students with a broader range of disabilities, including attention deficit disorders. Some students have both, and some just have one or the other. An IEP focuses on educational benefits, and often includes direct services such as speech or occupational therapy. About 85,100 students in California, or about 1.5%, have 504 plans, according to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.Ī 504 plan is geared toward ensuring a student has equitable access to a learning environment. In general, the goal of a 504 plan is to accommodate students with disabilities in general education classrooms. A team of teachers, specialists and parents determines what accommodations a student receives under their 504 plan. At schools, this can mean that students with learning disabilities, for example, can get extra time to take tests or finish homework, sit near the front of the classroom, or use textbooks in formats they can understand, such as audiobooks.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states that any organization, including a school, that receives federal money cannot discriminate against people with disabilities. “504 plan” refers to section 504 of the U.S. Students with IEPs can have autism, intellectual disabilities, orthopedic impairments, brain injuries, deafness, vision impairments, speech or language impairments or other disabilities that require specialized help with school.

In California, about 800,000 students, or 13%, have IEPs. All students in special education have IEPs. IEPs are created by teachers, parents, school administrators, other school staff such as psychologists, and sometimes students themselves. Required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an IEP is a regularly updated document that outlines goals and milestones for students based on their unique abilities. Here’s a guide to Individualized Education Programs, 504 plans and other aspects of special education.Īn IEP is an individualized education program, an educational road map for children with disabilities. Navigating the special education landscape can be daunting for parents trying to get the best education for their children. Last year, about 13% of students in California’s K-12 public schools received individualized services for special needs, up from about 10% in the early 2000s.

Alison Yin for EdSourceĮach year, a greater percentage of students in California qualify for special education. About 13% of California's public school enrollment is students in special education.

Are 504 plans just for accommodations