A 504 plan gives accommodations in regular classes, while an IEP provides specialized instruction and services for a child with a qualifying disability.
504 plan
Comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law. It provides accommodations (extra time, seating, breaks) so students with a disability can access general education. No special instruction.
IEP
Individualized Education Program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It gives specialized instruction, related services (speech therapy, occupational therapy) and measurable goals for students in 13 disability categories.
Eligibility
504: a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity. IEP: a disability that adversely affects educational performance and needs specialized instruction.
Process
504: school team meeting. IEP: formal evaluation, reviewed yearly.
Funding
IEPs get federal funding, 504s don’t.
Parents
Both have parent rights.
What each one is
A 504 plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal funds. An IEP, or individualized education program, comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is a written plan for special education services. Under the Child Find rule, schools must identify students who may need either.
Who qualifies
A 504 plan covers any student with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning, reading, concentrating, breathing or walking. Examples include ADHD, diabetes, asthma, allergies and anxiety. An IEP requires that the student fall into one of 13 disability categories under IDEA, such as specific learning disability, autism, speech or language impairment, emotional disturbance or other health impairment, and that the disability adversely affects education and requires specialized instruction.
What they provide
- 504 plan: accommodations that give equal access, such as extra time on tests, preferred seating, a quiet testing space, breaks, a nursing plan for medication, or assistive technology.
- IEP: specialized instruction, related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy or counseling, measurable annual goals, progress reports and transition planning from age 16 at the latest.
The process
For an IEP, parents give written consent for an evaluation, and the school has 60 days (or state timeline) to complete it. A team that includes parents, a general education teacher, a special education teacher and a school representative decides on eligibility and writes the plan, which is reviewed at least once a year, with a full reevaluation every three years. A 504 plan has a less formal process with no required written timeline in federal law, though most districts have a team, and plans are usually reviewed yearly.
Funding and legal protections
IDEA provides federal funding to states for special education, although funds cover only a part of the cost. Section 504 has no dedicated funding. IEPs carry stronger procedural safeguards, including prior written notice, dispute resolution, mediation and due process hearings. About 7.5 million US students, around 15% of public school students, receive services under IDEA.
Tips for parents
- Put your request for an evaluation in writing and keep a copy.
- Bring medical or school records and examples of the student’s difficulties.
- Ask for the evaluation results before the meeting.
- Review progress at least every quarter and request a meeting if the plan is not working.
- You can disagree and ask for an independent evaluation at public expense.
- Plans can carry into college through disability services, but IEPs end at graduation.
Timeline and parent rights
Under IDEA, schools must evaluate a child within 60 days of parental consent in most states, and an IEP must be reviewed at least once a year, with a full re-evaluation every three years. A 504 plan has no federal timeline for annual review but is commonly reviewed once a year. Parents can request an evaluation in writing, and they have the right to disagree and request mediation or a due process hearing. About 7.5 million students aged 3 to 21 in the US received special education services under IDEA in 2022 to 2023, per the National Center for Education Statistics.
Based on data from the US Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics
