A 504 plan is a blueprint for how schools will support a student with a disability and remove barriers to learning. The goal is to provide the student equal access at school.  In contrast, IEP stands for Individual Education Program and centers around academic achievement and determining whether a student qualifies for special education services.

For example, a 504 plan might explain that a student with a physical disability has difficulty getting to class on the second floor of a building and outline ways to remove this physical barrier.  For instance, it could allocate extra time for this student to move between classes, as traveling to and from a particular elevator takes time.  In the case of a student who was both blind and had a mental impairment, the 504 plan would address the visual impairment of the student and ways to accommodate it.  The IEP would define an individualized learning plan to help the student improve academically and functionally.

To learn more about Let’s Go Learn’s special education software tools, click here.