The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans

Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for K-12 students
with a disability. They are similar in some ways BUT also very different in other ways. This chart
compares some aspects of these plans.

IEP
Basic
Description
What it does

What law
applies

504 Plan

A blueprint or plan for a childs special A blueprint or plan for how a child will
education experience at school
have access to learning at school
Provides individualized special
education and related services to
meet the unique needs of the child
these services are provided at no cost
to the child/family
The Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)

Provides services and changes to the

learning environment to meet the needs
of the child as adequately as other
students as with IEPs, a 504 plan is
provided at no cost to the child/family
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973

This is a federal special education law This is a federal civil rights law to stop
for children with disabilities
discrimination against people with
disabilities
To
get
an
IEP,
there
are
2
To get a 504 plan, there are two
Who is eligible
requirements:
requirements:
1. A child has one or more of the 13
1. A child has any disability (such as
specific disabilities listed in IDEA hearing loss)
Hearing impairment is one of those
2. The disability must interfere with the
2. The disability must affect the
childs ability to learn in a general
childs educational performance
education classroom - Section 504 has
and/or ability to learn and benefit from a broader definition of a disability than
the general education curriculum
IDEA - Thats why a child who doesnt
qualify for an IEP may be able to have a
504 plan
There
are
strict
legal
requirements
The rules about whos on the 504 team
Who creates
about who participates - An IEP is
are less specific than they are for an
the
created by an IEP team that must
IEP.
program/plan
include:
A 504 plan is created by a team of
The childs parent
people who are familiar with the child
At least one of the childs
and who understand the evaluation data
general ed teachers
At least one special ed teacher and special services options - This
might include:
School psychologist or other
The childs parent
specialist who can interpret
General and special education
evaluation results
teachers
A district representative with

The principal
authority over special ed
services
With a few exceptions, the entire
team must be present for IEP
meetings

Whats in the
program/plan

The IEP sets learning goals for a child There is no standard 504 plan - Unlike
and describes the services the school an IEP, a 504 plan doesnt have to be a
will give him/her - Its a written
written document
document.
A 504 plan generally includes the
Here are some of the most important
following:
things an IEP must include:
Specific accommodations,
The childs present levels of
supports or services for the child
academic and functional
Names of who will provide each
performance
service
Annual education goals for the
Name of the person responsible
child and how the school will
for ensuring that the plan is
track progress
implemented
The services the child will get
(spec ed, related,
supplementary and extended
school year services)
Timing of services when they
start, how often they occur and
how long they last
Any accommodations
changes to the childs learning
environment
Any modifications changes to
what the child is expected to
learn or know
How the child will participate in
standardized tests
How the child will be included
in general ed classes and
school activities
The
IEP
team must review the IEP at The rules vary by state. Generally, a
How often it is
504 plan is reviewed each year and a
reviewed and least once a year
re-evaluation is done every 3 years or
revised
The student must be re-evaluated
when needed
every 3 years to determine whether
services are still needed
Funding/Costs Students receive these services at no Students receive these services at no
charge
charge
States receive additional funding for
eligible students

States do NOT receive extra funding for

eligible students. BUT the federal govt
can take funding away from programs
(including schools) that dont comply.
IDEA funds cant be used to serve
students with 504 plans.

Adapted from: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/thedifference-between-ieps-and-504-plans (Last retrieved on 02-09-2016)