504 in school

[Guest guest]

> Vicki asked about 504 plans in school. The criteria used by state

> departments of education for special ed is evolving and fewer kids qualify

> in many states; generally this happens if they are determined not to need

> " specialized " instruction. However, most of these kids still have a

> disability that qualifies them under 504, for modifications, related aids

> and services. 504 is a civil rights statute, (like the ADA), and as such,

> the 504 education regulations are a lot briefer and more general than the

> state or Federal sped regulations. 504 does have some teeth though. Any

> aids or services that the team determines a student needs under 504, the

> student has to get - it's a violation of law if the 504 plan developed by

> the team is not implemented.

>

> More information on 504 is on the OCR website:

>

> http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/publications.html

>

>

> OCR's sister office within the US Department of Education, OSEP, enforces

> IDEA, the federal special ed law that the states are implementing along

> with their state sped regulations:

>

> http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/

>

> http://www.nichcy.org/idealist.htm

>

> http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/newsdig/nd21txt.htm

>

> Also, let me add a plug for the Disability Harassment memo from the

> Department last July. This is the press release - the memo is linked to

> it.

>

> http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/07-2000/0726_2.html

>

>

> [While attending an IEP for my son who is in Special Education, I was

> informed that they would like to switch him from Sp Ed, to a 504 plan this

> fall. Can anyone tell me what the differences are and what he might gain

> or lose by going to the 504?]

>

> Ruth E. Ricker

> Technical Assistance Staff

> Office for Civil Rights

> U.S. Department of Education

>

>