A 504 plan is a way for schools to provide support for students with a disability so that they can learn in a regular classroom.The name 504 plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs or activities that receive federal funding (such as public schools or publicly funded private schools). This ensures that students with disabilities can get a free education that works for them.First, a parent, teacher, or other school staff member, health care provider, or therapist asks the school to evaluate the student for a 504 plan. Every school handles 504 plans a little differently, but most have a 504 team that may include the principal, teachers, school nurse, guidance counselor, and psychologist. The team looks at a child's grades, test scores, medical records, and what teachers report about the student to decide if the student is eligible for a 504 plan.If the 504 team decides that a student is eligible, they work with the parents to decide what kind of supports (called accommodations) the student needs to succeed. These are listed in the 504 plan.The 504 plan is based on each student's needs and strengths. Accommodations can include:
- sitting in a certain place or with a certain desk or chair in the classroom
- extra time on tests and assignments
- use of speech-to-text (dictation) for writing
- modified textbooks (such as one that can be read aloud to the student)
- adjusted class schedules
- verbal (out loud) testing
- allowing visits to the nurse's office
- occupational therapy or physical therapy
Many other accommodations are available. If a parent asks for one that the school can't provide, the school might offer another one that would help. Most accommodations in 504 plans don't change what the student learns — rather, they remove barriers to learning.The 504 plan should be reviewed at least yearly to make sure the accommodations are up to date and work for the student's needs.For more information, please follow this
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