Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans can offer formal help for K-12 students who are struggling in school. They’re similar in some ways, but very different in others.

Section 504 Plan

	IEP	Section 504
Basic Description:	Blueprint or plan for child’s special education experience at school	Blueprint or plan for how the school will provide support and remove barriers for a student with a disability
What it does:	Provides individualized special education and related services to meet child’s unique needs	Provides services and changes to the learning environment to enable student to learn alongside peers
Laws:	The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Federal special education law for children with disabilities	Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Federal civil rights law to stop discrimination against people with disabilities
Who is eligible?	Children has one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA. Disability must affect child’s educational performance of ability to learn and benefit from general education curriculum Must need specialized instruction to progress in school	Child has any disability Disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in general education classroom. Broader definition of disability, must substantially limit one or more basic life activity Child who doesn’t qualify for IEP may be able to get 504 Plan
Independent Educational Evaluation:	Families can ask school to pay for independent educational evaluation (IEE) by outside expert. District doesn’t have to agree. Families can always pay for outside evaluation themselves, but district may not give it much weight.	Doesn’t allow families to ask for an IEE. Families can always pay for an outside evaluation themselves.
Who creates it?	Strict legal requirements Child’s parent or caregiver At least 1 of child’s general education teachers At least 1 special education teachers School psych or specialist to interpret eval results District representative with authority over special ed services Entire team must be present for IEP meetings	Rules less specific Team of people familiar with the child and who understand evaluation data and special service options. May include: Parent or caregiver General and special education teachers 504 coordinator Nurse or other related servers
What is included?	Sets learning goals and describes services school will provide Must include: Present levels of academic and functional performance Annual education goals Services child will get Timing of services Any accommodations necessary Any modifications necessary How child will participate in standardized tests How child will be included in general ed and school activities	No standard plan. Generally includes: Specific accommodations or supports
Notice required:	When school wants to change services or placement, prior written notice is required to families Prior written notice required for any IEP meetings and evaluations “Stay put” rights keep services in place while there is a disagreement about the IEP	School must notify families about an evaluation or a “significant change” in placement. Doesn’t have to be in writing although most schools do so anyway
Consent required:	Parent/caregiver must consent in writing for evaluation and before school can provide services in the IEP	Consent is required for school district to evaluate child
How often to review and/or revise:	Must be reviewed every year Child must be reevaluated every 3 years to determine if services are still needed	504 Plan is reviewed periodically and as needed
How to resolve disputes:	Mediation Due process complaint Resolution session Civil lawsuit State complaint Lawsuit	Mediation Alternative dispute resolution Impartial hearing Complaint to thee Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Lawsuit
Funding:	Students receive these services at no charge States receive additional funding for students with IEPs	Students receive services at no charge States do not receive extra funding for students with 504 Plans, but federal government can take away funding that don’t meet their legal duty to serve kids with disabilities IDEA funds cannot be used to serve kids with 504 Plans