What are they?

What is an IEP?

An IEP is an Individualized Education Program. IEPs are written for students who qualify for special education services through IDEA. In order to be eligible for special education, a student must have at least 1 of the 13 disability categories and their disability must negatively impact their education. These students require a specialized and individualized instructional program to ensure they receive a free and appropriate public education. IEPs are legally binding documents that describe how the school will support the student throughout their K-12 education, and are updated annually by the case manager (typically the special education teacher) with the input of the IEP team.

For students who receive special education services and do not earn a high school diploma (typically students with moderate-severe disabilities), they are eligible to attend an adult transition program in their school district until they are 22 years old. While in their transition program, they will continue to have an IEP that is updated annually.

What is a 504 Plan?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that all entities receiving federal funding must ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against nor denied access. A 504 plan is created in K-12 schools for students who have a disability and require accommodations in order to access their educational environment. 504 plans are not updated annually, but are rather reviewed periodically (typically every 3 years). Students who do not qualify for an IEP or who do not require a specialized and individualized instructional program in order to participate in their educational setting may be eligible for a 504 plan.