Distinguish between an IEP and a 504 Plan, including eligibility criteria and implications for accommodations.

• A. IEP under IDEA for students requiring specialized instruction; 504 Plan under Rehabilitation Act for students needing accommodations; IEPs include goals/services; 504 plans provide accommodations; both support; 504 lacks specialized instruction.
• B. IEP is about attendance; 504 is about discipline.
• C. 504 includes goals; IEP does not.
• D. They are identical.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that these two plans exist to help students access and benefit from education, but they come from different laws and serve different needs. An IEP is the plan created under IDEA for students who require specialized instruction beyond what the regular classroom provides. It involves a formal evaluation, eligibility determination by a multidisciplinary team, and a written program that includes specific goals, related services (like speech or occupational therapy), and accommodations tailored to help the student make progress in learning. The IEP is legally binding and typically funds the special education and related services listed, with progress toward annual goals tracked each year and transition planning starting in the teen years.

A 504 Plan, grounded in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, is about ensuring access and removing barriers for students with disabilities within the general education setting. It does not require specialized instruction. Instead, it provides accommodations and supports so the student can participate in the general curriculum (for example, extended time on tests, preferential seating, or assistive technology). Eligibility is broader: any disability that substantially limits a major life activity qualifies, not just those needing special education services. While a 504 plan aims for equal access and is implemented by the general education team, it isn’t structured around annual measurable goals or funded services in the same way an IEP is, though it still supports the student’s education.

In practice, you’d typically use an IEP for students who need targeted, funded special education services and explicit goals, and a 504 Plan for students who need accommodations to access the standard curriculum but do not require specialized instruction.