Are Parents Involved In 504?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Parent participation is

not an entitlement right under

Section 504 as it is under IDEA. Depending on the procedures used by your local school district, parents or legal guardians may or may not have a right to active participation or decision-making through Section 504.

Can a parent refuse a 504 plan?

If the parents refuse an IEP,

there is no legal duty to write a 504

. However, it may be applicable if the team decides that the student should be evaluated under 504. Major life activities are not limited to such things as hearing, seeing, walking, breathing and learning, etc.

Do parents have to consent to a 504 plan?


Parents must provide informed, written consent before their child is assessed

or provided with any special education services. Parental consent must also be provided before any change in special education services may occur.

What parents need to know about 504 plans?

A 504 Plan is just the written part–it details

how the school is going to prevent discrimination against your child

, as far as their . It is a list of accommodations that they will provide to level the playing field between your child and non-disabled students. It is accommodations only.

Who is required to attend a 504 meeting?


There isn't a required list of attendees

for a 504 plan

Is there a downside to having a 504 plan?

They may not explain that it can provide accommodations , modifications and special services like those in an IEP . Prepare in advance by learning as much you can about your options.

What are reasonable accommodations under Section 504?

Question: What is a reasonable accommodation under Section 504? Answer: A reasonable accommodation is

a change, adaptation, or modification to a policy, program, service, or workplace

which will allow a qualified person with a to participate fully in a program, take advantage of a service, or perform a job.

What qualifies as a 504 disability?

The ED Section 504 regulation defines an “individual with handicaps” as any person who

(i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities

, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Does ADHD qualify for a 504 plan?

Students

with ADHD are eligible for services

and an individual accommodation plan under Section 504 if they have significant difficulty learning in school due to ADHD impairments.

What is a 504 Plan vs IEP?

The basic difference between an IEP and a 504 plan can be summed up in one sentence:

both plans provide for accommodations

, but only an IEP provides for specialized instruction for students in grades K–12, while a 504 plan can serve students at both the K–12 and college levels.

How long does a school have to respond to a 504 request?

The school district must respond to your request for an IDEA assessment

within 15 days of

receiving it (unless school is not in session; summer vacation for example). No specific timeframes apply to requests for Section 504 assessments, but you are entitled to a response within a reasonable period of time.

Is 504 considered special education?


504 plans aren't part of special education

. So, they're different from IEPs. 504 plans and IEPs are covered by different laws and work in different ways. But the end goal is the same: to help students thrive in school.

What teachers should know about 504?

  • 504 Plan Basics. Students can qualify for 504 plans if they have physical or mental impairments that affect or limit any of their abilities to: …
  • 504 Plans vs. IEPs.

Does anxiety qualify for a 504?


Yes

. A student may qualify for a 504 plan if anxiety gets in the way of the student participating at school. The 504 plan aims to remove barriers caused by the anxiety.

Do colleges look at 504 plans?


Colleges don't know whether a student applicant has an IEP

or a 504 plan . They will only know if the student shares this information. In fact, colleges aren't allowed to ask students who apply whether they have a disability. … For example, when a student applies to college, their high school provides a school profile.

What percentage of students have a 504?

Nationally, around

2.3 percent

of students have 504 plans. That percentage has been rising since 2009, when Congress expanded who qualifies for the plans.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.