Kansas 504 Plan Vs. IEP

The IEP and 504 are two different things. The IEP is for children who learn differently from the "normal" or "average" student. In other words, they might have dyslexia and can't read, or they are limited in their intellectual capacity and therefore will not be progressing in the traditional curriculum (they will not be able to grasp algebra, for example, but might be able to learn simple arithmetic), or else they require a complete special needs curriculum. They need modifications to the curriculum presented to them. They are unable, for whatever reason, to achieve success with the standard curriculum.

The 504 plan is for students who can learn at the same level as their peers, but who require accommodations. They don't need the curriculum to be modified, but they need accommodations in the classroom. Think, for example, of a bright student who is unable to use his or her hands to write due to cerebral palsy, or a student who wears hearing aids and needs to be seated nearer to the teacher, or a student who needs to leave the room at any time due to anxiety or to check his or her blood sugar or to take medication. The curriculum has not been changed, but the student is granted certain liberties such as extra time to take a test, an aide to write answers, or preferential seating.

My daughter has a 504 plan due to medical issues. She is excused for doctors' appointments or on days when she's ill, and the teachers reduce her workload. She gets extensions on time limits too. But she follows the same curriculum as the other students in her grade.

If your son is on par with the rest of the students as far as academics then it sounds like a 504 would be good for him. He could leave the room for test-taking still. A 504 plan needs to be reviewed just like an IEP periodically. The parents can have input as to what they want on the 504, and the teachers can have input too.

But that's basically the difference: modification of curriculum vs accommodations during the school day. Hope that helps.

I had a 504 plan in middle and high school. I believe it is federally protected, as it still involves a disability; however, I had to do a lot more self-advocating in High School because some of the teachers didn't seem to”get it”--not sure whether that was because of their lack of knowledge re: my particular medical issue or inexperience with the 504 plan in general (since it seems to be used less often).

My primary concern would be that all of the teachers attend the meeting so they are informed of the needs and such in the same way, and can clarify whatever may not be clear to them. I would also stay in contact with the guidance counselor or resource teacher or whoever the appropriate contact is at the school, to help troubleshoot if/when an issue arises.

When it came to standardized tests and the move to college, having the 504 documentation was invaluable in helping get the accommodations needed, without a big hassle.

Good luck--I wish you and your son success! : o)

I will say one thing about SPED (IEP) vs 504.....

In our community, if they are on a 504 in high school, they get very little support..... in middle school, we (as sped staff) support both equally..... but I've heard of students in High School with 504 modifications saying "small group" for testing, and then be put in the gym with 200+ students to take the mandated standardized tests...

However, and you may need to check into this, he may not be able to get a regular diploma if he is still SPED... I don't know for sure, but I know that sometimes there is a push to get the marginal kids out of SPED before high school, because if they don't have enough years as a regular education student, they get a "certificate", not a diploma. That is just what I have heard from one of the paras that has been working with the kids much longer than I have. (That may be Texas policy, also.... I don't really know.)

Basically, with Special Education labeling you get federal protection... I don't believe that 504 carries that same federal ADA protection.

It sounds like he is almost ready to drop his IEP, but I would wait until he's in HS. I think it might be a hard thing to get again once you give it up. I would definitely find out how an IEP or 504 would help him on state tests and the SAT/ACT.

Hi M.-
I know that my daughter was diagnosed w ADD at 9 and has been on a IEP since. She's 16 now and her plan is for extra resource help and extra test taking time. She actually is a A student now and is not needing the resource help anymore, but were told to keep with her IEP because if she needs it later, it's there, and it's a real pain to go through the process again if it does turn out that it is needed. Also, we were told that when she gets closer to college, her school does a tri-annual review which in which they make sure she is prepared for college.

Good luck to you!!