As of 2022, more than 800,000 students in California alone enrolled in special education programs. A large portion of these enrolled in individualized education programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. But what’s the difference?
IEPs and 504 plans help students with disabilities succeed at school in a way that makes sense for their unique needs. How do you know whether an IEP or 504 plan is better for your family?
In this article, Ability Central breaks down individualized education programs and 504 plans, sharing the history behind these education initiatives and the pros and cons of special education programs.
We answer your frequently asked questions about IEPs and 504 plans, including:
What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
What do individualized education programs cover?
What do 504 plans cover?
How do I set up an IEP at my child’s school?
How do I set up a 504 plan for my child?
What are the benefits of a special education plan?
What are the potential disadvantages of a special education plan?
How do I know whether an IEP or a 504 is right for my child?
Where can I get more information about IEPs and 504 plans?
What is the difference between special education accommodations and modifications?
A shared goal of special education programs is to give students with disabilities the same opportunities to succeed academically as their peers.
These opportunities usually appear as accommodations or modifications. Accommodations change the way students learn, while modifications change what students learn.
For example, special education accommodations might include:
Extra time to take tests
Different notetaking options like recording audio or video
Using a laptop instead of completing paper assignments
On the other hand, special education modifications might include:
Simpler tests with fewer or less complicated questions
Homework designed for a student’s unique abilities
Alternate assessments for standardized tests, which usually cover different material
Whether a student needs an IEP or a 504 plan depends on the accommodations or modifications they need.
What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
Individualized education programs (IEPs) and 504 plans offer customized, formal programming for students with disabilities.
It’s technically possible for a student to have both an IEP and a 504 plan, but most students have one or the other. While the two special education options share many features, they also have unique differences in what they cover and how easy they are to set up.
What is an IEP?
Under federal law, schools are required to offer qualified students individualized education programs (IEPs) as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An IEP provides special education services designed to help students learn at the same rate as their peers.
An IEP might include:
One-on-one lessons with teachers or a teaching aide
Annual education goals broken down into short-term objectives or benchmarks
Modified or flexible class schedules that include breaks and time for medical appointments
Medical programs like medication management or therapy (physical, occupational, speech, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.)
Parent counseling or home teaching exercises
Transition services for students graduating or entering the workforce
Because IEPs are so customized, they usually require an evaluation before a plan can start. After that, students with IEPs need regular progress reports, like quarterly check-ins or end-of-year reviews.
What is a 504 plan?
504 plans, named for section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, skip IEP reporting requirements. Instead, 504s remove educational barriers so that students with disabilities can learn the same material as their peers.
A 504 plan might include:
Assistive technology like screen readers or audio recording.
A designated space to work without distractions.
Access to a computer for classwork that would usually be written by hand.
Medication management from a school nurse or qualified administrator (like stimulants for ADHD).
Extra, informal communication between parents and teachers to track progress.
Who are individualized education programs for?
Individualized education programs are best for students whose disabilities prevent them from learning the same material as their classmates.
Because IEPs tend to be more complex than 504 plans, the qualification processes for IEPs can be strict. They also might vary from state to state.
Generally, a student qualifies for an IEP if they have a disability in one of 13 categories:
Speech, language, or processing impairments (like muteness, Tourette’s syndrome, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, or auditory processing disorder)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Intellectual disabilities (like Down syndrome)
Mental health challenges or “emotional disturbances” (like post-traumatic stress disorder/PTSD)
Multiple disabilities
Orthopedic impairment (physical disabilities like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or ALS )
Visual impairment (like severe vision loss or blindness)
Traumatic brain injury
Severe hearing and vision loss (deafblindness)
Who are 504 plans for?
504 plans are designed for students whose disabilities impact the way they learn, but do not prevent them from learning the same material as their classmates.
In terms of eligibility requirements, 504s tend to be less strict than IEPs. They are usually given to students who are falling behind academically to help them catch up.
A student might qualify for a 504 plan if:
Their documented disability is not “severe” enough to qualify for an IEP.
They have a physical disability that affects their ability to eat, breathe, walk, or stand.
They have a disability, but they’re not struggling academically.
They have a chronic illness like asthma, diabetes, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy.
How do I know whether an IEP or a 504 is right for my child?
The most effective special education plan for a student with disabilities depends on their unique needs. Take time to educate yourself about your options. Speak with school administrators, teachers, and doctors to determine the best option for your family.
If you’re confused about your state’s requirements or restrictions, it’s also a good idea to talk to a disability rights attorney. Working with a disability rights lawyer early in the process can come in handy if you need to file an appeal down the line.
What are the pros and cons of a special education plan?
Custom education plans like IEPs and 504s make it possible for students with disabilities to succeed in school, but like any education program, they carry pros and cons.
Benefits of special education plans
IEPs and 504s allow students with disabilities to learn in the same environment as their peers, or in a similar environment free from distractions. The goal is to help a student graduate on the same track as their classmates.
A special education plan can also help a student:
Keep up with medical care (physical therapy, medication management, etc.) without leaving school.
Prepare for college or a job.
Make friends and build social skills.
Learn skills like time and task management.
Boost confidence and self-esteem.
Potential disadvantages of special education plans
While special education plans aim to prevent disruptions to a student’s learning experience, they can’t prevent everything. One of the most common complaints about IEPs and 504 plans comes from social stigma.
Some families worry about problems with:
Building relationships, if the student is often separated from their peers.
Bullying.
Future success, in cases where the lowered expectations of a special education plan do not prepare someone for the “real world” of college or a job.
Change, especially for students with cognitive disabilities or mood disorders worsened by unexpected changes to routine.
Generally, families don’t need to worry about the cost of special education plans. By law, any school that receives federal funding must offer 504s and IEPs to qualified students for free.
However, this does mean that private schools, specialized programs, and private instructors can charge high rates, so long as they are not government-funded.
How do I set up an IEP at my child’s school?
If you’re wondering how to set up an IEP for a student with disabilities, the first step you should take is creating an IEP team. Similar to a care team for people with chronic illnesses or long-term disabilities, an IEP team works together to identify the best learning methods for each student.
An IEP team might include:
The student
Parents
General education teachers
Special education teachers
School administrators or representatives
Doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists qualified to interpret evaluation results
Transition services agency representatives
Other people with unique knowledge or expertise about the student
Typically, the process for starting an IEP at your child’s school takes 10 steps:
Identification. A parent, teacher, or administrator identifies that a student might need special education services.
Evaluation. An evaluator assesses the student’s needs.
Eligibility discussion. The IEP team discusses the student’s disability status to decide on their special education eligibility.
Eligibility decision. The IEP team finds the student eligible for services.
IEP meeting. The student and parents or guardians schedule a meeting with the school to discuss the structure of an IEP.
IEP creation. During this meeting, the IEP team works together to create the IEP.
Service start. The school provides the chosen services for the student.
Reporting. The IEP team measures and reports the student’s progress.
IEP review. At least once per year, the IEP team reviews the plan to make sure it’s meeting the student’s needs.
Student reevaluation. At least once every three years, the student is reevaluated to check the IEP’s effectiveness and if the student’s disability status still qualifies for programming.
How do I set up a 504 plan for my child?
504 plans are easier to set up and don’t require as much reporting as IEPs. For this reason, many students whose disability symptoms are too mild to qualify for an IEP might start a 504 plan instead.
Similar to an IEP team, a section 504 team evaluates the student’s needs. This 504 team might be made up of teachers, parents, doctors, and other observers, along with input from the student.
The 504 team might examine:
Academic progress and school records
Behavioral records
Classroom observations
Medical records
Samples of the student’s previous work
Standardized test scores
If the student qualifies, the school creates a 504 plan. Some schools allow or request input from the student or their guardians, while others create a plan independently and give families the option to accept or appeal it.
What do I do if the school says my child is not qualified for an IEP or 504?
IEP and 504 eligibility decisions can always be appealed.
If students, parents, and school staff disagree on what a student with disabilities needs, families can:
Get a second opinion** from someone outside of the school system (independent educational evaluation).
Schedule an informal meeting** to discuss options with the school.
Work with a mediator** qualified to host an IEP meeting, who can help families and schools reach a resolution.
File a complaint with the State Department of Education** within one year of evaluation, but only if you feel there has been a violation of federal or state special education laws.
When all else fails, families can request a due process hearing with an independent hearing officer or panel of hearing officers from the U.S. District Court. In this type of special education appeal, the court evaluates the student’s needs and makes a legally binding decision.
Families may want to hire a lawyer for special education appeals, although many of these cases can be resolved outside of court. Before filing an appeal, be sure to speak with an attorney familiar with your state’s special education laws.
Where can I get more information about IEPs and 504 plans?
To learn more about individualized education programs and 504 plans, check out the associated laws:
Your state’s special education laws
For more help setting up an IEP or 504, contact a nonprofit in your area that offers special education assistance. If you’re not sure where to start, Ability Central offers a nationwide database of nonprofits offering services for students with disabilities.
Some disability rights or parent education organizations also offer excellent resources about special education. Check out:
For more information about disability rights for adults, see:
