IEP vs. 504 Plan: What Is the Difference Between IEP and 504 Plan?

00:02:58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9TgDgHfdlY

Summary

TLDRThe video explains the differences between an IEP (Individualized Education Program) and a 504 plan. An IEP is governed by special education law and is designed for students who have one of 13 specified conditions that impact their performance in the classroom. Conversely, a 504 plan, governed by civil rights law, is for students with disabilities who do not require specialized instruction but need accommodations to access the same educational benefits as other students. The key takeaway is that the choice between an IEP and a 504 plan depends on the child's specific needs rather than one being superior to the other. Proper implementation and follow-through with either plan can effectively support a student's learning in the classroom.

Takeaways

  • 📜 An IEP is governed by special education law.
  • ⚖️ A 504 plan is governed by civil rights law.
  • 🧩 An IEP requires one of 13 specific disabilities impacting educational performance.
  • ♿ 504 plans are for disabilities that need classroom accommodations, not specialized instruction.
  • 🏫 ADHD often qualifies for 504 plan accommodations.
  • 📝 Effective 504 plans require proper implementation and follow-through.
  • 📚 An educational impact must exist for an IEP qualification.
  • 🔄 Changes in 504 plans are called accommodations.
  • ✅ Both IEPs and 504 plans can adequately meet a child's needs.
  • 🔍 Properly constructed plans are crucial for effectiveness.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:02:58

    An IEP (Individualized Education Program) and a 504 Plan have key differences based on the laws governing them. An IEP is covered by special education laws and requires one of 13 specific conditions or disabilities which must impact classroom performance. A 504 Plan is under a civil rights law and is designed for students whose disabilities affect their learning in a general classroom but do not require specialized instruction. Instead, accommodations are made to the environment, such as extra time for tests, allowing students to benefit from education similarly to their peers. A well-crafted plan, be it IEP or 504, can effectively support a child's educational needs if implemented correctly.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is an IEP?

    An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is governed by special education law and is for students with specified disabilities that impact their educational performance.

  • What is a 504 plan?

    A 504 plan is governed by civil rights law and is for students with disabilities who require accommodations in the general education classroom but do not need specialized instruction.

  • How does a child qualify for an IEP?

    A child must have one of 13 specified disabilities, impacting educational performance, to qualify for an IEP.

  • Can a child with ADHD qualify for a 504 plan?

    Yes, children with ADHD often qualify for a 504 plan as they may need accommodations like extra time on tests.

  • Are 504 plans as effective as IEPs?

    504 plans can be effective if well-written, well-implemented, and with proper follow-through.

  • What kind of law governs an IEP?

    Special education law governs an IEP.

  • What kind of law governs a 504 plan?

    Civil rights law governs a 504 plan.

  • Do 504 plans require specialized instruction?

    No, they require accommodations in the general education setting without specialized instruction.

  • What is educational impact in the context of an IEP?

    Educational impact refers to how a disability adversely affects a child's learning and performance in the classroom.

View more video summaries

Get instant access to free YouTube video summaries powered by AI!
Subtitles
en
Auto Scroll:
  • 00:00:00
    [What's the Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan?]
  • 00:00:02
    [Understood, for learning & attention issues]
  • 00:00:05
    There are many differences
  • 00:00:07
    [Amanda Morin, Parent Advocate] between an IEP
  • 00:00:09
    and a 504 plan. The first and most fundamental
  • 00:00:12
    is they're governed by different laws.
  • 00:00:14
    An IEP is governed by a special education law.
  • 00:00:17
    504 is governed under a civil rights law.
  • 00:00:20
    And that makes a difference in what kinds of services
  • 00:00:24
    and how an IEP plan and 504 plan come together.
  • 00:00:28
    To qualify for an IEP, you have to have one of 13
  • 00:00:32
    specified conditions or disabilities
  • 00:00:35
    that are written in the law. For example,
  • 00:00:37
    a specific learning disability, which would be
  • 00:00:39
    something like dyslexia, would be a condition
  • 00:00:41
    that a child would qualify for an IEP under.
  • 00:00:45
    Having one of those 13 identified disabilities
  • 00:00:47
    isn't enough to make sure your child gets an IEP.
  • 00:00:50
    Whatever is going on with your child,
  • 00:00:52
    whatever that disability is, also has to affect
  • 00:00:54
    his performance in the classroom, and that's
  • 00:00:56
    really important to know, because sometimes
  • 00:00:58
    parents think that just having a disability
  • 00:01:01
    qualifies for an IEP, but you also need to make sure
  • 00:01:03
    that it's making a difference. It has what's called
  • 00:01:05
    educational impact—adverse impact—in the classroom
  • 00:01:08
    for how your child's learning. For a 504 plan,
  • 00:01:11
    a child needs to have a disability that is getting in the way
  • 00:01:15
    of his learning in the general education classroom.
  • 00:01:18
    The difference isn't that he needs specialized instruction.
  • 00:01:21
    It's that he needs some changes to get benefit
  • 00:01:24
    from his education the same way as other kids
  • 00:01:26
    in that classroom. And so kids who have ADHD
  • 00:01:30
    often have 504 plans, and what happens is just changes
  • 00:01:33
    are made to the environment. And those changes
  • 00:01:34
    are called accommodations. And those changes
  • 00:01:37
    are made in the general education classroom
  • 00:01:39
    and don't require specialized instruction.
  • 00:01:41
    So for example, a child with ADHD may need
  • 00:01:43
    extra time to work on a test or to get his homework done.
  • 00:01:46
    So some people are concerned that a 504 plan
  • 00:01:48
    isn't as good as an IEP. And the truth of the matter
  • 00:01:52
    is that a 504 plan or an IEP can meet your child's needs.
  • 00:01:56
    It just depends on how well it's put together.
  • 00:01:58
    A well-written, well-implemented plan
  • 00:02:02
    that everybody knows what's going to be happening
  • 00:02:04
    and in place and is working on it
  • 00:02:06
    can be very helpful for a child who doesn't need
  • 00:02:09
    that specialized instruction. As long as there's
  • 00:02:11
    a lot of follow-through and everybody's checking in
  • 00:02:13
    to make sure it's working well, a 504 plan
  • 00:02:16
    can be very helpful for kids in the classroom.
  • 00:02:19
    Key Takeaways: An IEP is governed
  • 00:02:23
    by a special education law.
  • 00:02:25
    A 504 plan is governed by a civil rights law.
  • 00:02:28
    A 504 plan covers kids with disabilities
  • 00:02:33
    who don't require specialized instruction.
  • 00:02:35
    [More to Explore on Understood]
  • 00:02:37
    [Understanding Special Education]
  • 00:02:39
    [The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans: A Chart]
  • 00:02:41
    [Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)]
  • 00:02:43
    [Can a Student Have Both an IEP and a 504 Plan?]
  • 00:02:45
    [Understood, for learning & attention issues]
  • 00:02:54
    [U, understood.org]
Tags
  • IEP
  • 504 plan
  • special education
  • civil rights law
  • accommodations
  • educational impact
  • disabilities
  • learning
  • ADHD
  • classroom