IEP vs 504 Plan
IEP’s and 504 plans both support students with disabilities, however how they do this differs.
What is an IEP?
An IEP is a formal document that outlines the unique needs of a student with one or more of the 13 disability categories identified by the IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Act). The development of an IEP involves an assessment through the school district to determine the child’s abilities and what areas they need the most support in, in the educational setting. An IEP will include any services that the school will provide the children, which can include specially designed instructions, supports and services to meet the child’s educational, physical, social emotional needs. The IEP and it’s goals are developed by a team of people that can include: parents, teachers, school psychologist and support professionals (Occupational and Speech therapists) who track the child’s progress annually.
What is a 504 plan?
A 504 plan is similar to an IEP, however it does not involve specialized instruction for the child; it rather focuses on removing barriers to the student so they are able to learn along side their peers. A 504 provides accommodations to the child’s environment (allowing the child to leave class early to have an easier time moving through the school, allowing the child to utilize an elevator to access classes on different floors, etc.) and provide assistive technology (a talking device, text to speech devices, any tool/technology that can support the child’s needs). A 504 plan does not track the child’s progress, because this is not an educational plan; it’s a plan to support a child’s ability to have an equitable educational opportunities, despite their disability or medical need.
A more simple explanation is that an IEP focus on WHAT the child is learning , while a 504 plan focuses on HOW the child is learning.
For more information about KUSD’s IEP and 504 plans check out the links below.
IEP