What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

A 504 Plan

A 504 plan is derived from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is a civil rights law that specifically outlines that individuals with disabilities have equal access to all public services with federal funding. A 504 plan for a student ensures that they have equal access to everything in the classroom and provides accommodation to make sure that happens.

A great analogy of the 504 plan from Exceptionallives.org:

“The concept is that kids in public school should have “equal access” to the regular school curriculum in the same way that ramps provide “equal access” to federal buildings. The 504 plan describes adjustments – called accommodations – in the school setting. The purpose of accommodations is to make sure that a student can learn from (“access”) all parts of the school day, despite their disability.”

IEP

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) was introduced as part of IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act from the year 1975. An IEP ensures a student receives the accommodations they need, even if it is outside the general curriculum of their current grade. An IEP allows a student to receive modified curriculum and support.

According to IDEA, “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.”

What makes them different

A 504 plan provides in class accommodation and classroom modification through assistive technology or sensory assistance. The student remains in the general classroom, but is provided with accommodations to assist in a more conducive learning environment.

An IEP includes specialized instruction in the classroom or the student is “pulled out” of class to receive specialized instruction. An IEP can also include related services, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, or behavioral therapy. An IEP has an intended outcome and goal in mind to be met, whereas a 504 plan does not have any concrete objectives in place.

Both a 504 plan and an IEP are a legal contract between you and the school. There is a yearly meeting to discuss accommodations and any changes to the plan.

Here is a PDF from Understood.org that places a 504 plan & an IEP side by side for comparison used by montana.gov to provide guidance to parents.

View PDF

For Montana specific guidance, visit the Montana DPHHS website.