504 Plan vs. IEP: Why the Time Is Now to Understand the Difference
Education is supposed to be the great equalizer, but for students with disabilities, that’s only true when the right supports are in place.
As a mother of 3, I've always fought to make sure my children had everything they needed in school. My two oldest daughters are neurotypical. However, my youngest daughter, who will be 7 this year, is Autistic so I quickly had to educate myself on ALL the resources and tools available to help her be the best she can be in school.
Two key protections—504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)—ensure students with disabilities get the accommodations and services they need to succeed. However, the systems that uphold these protections are at risk with the Trump administration (in my world known as Agent Orange) actively working to dismantle the Department of Education.
If there was ever a time to understand the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP, it’s now. Parents, educators, and advocates must be ready to fight for these rights before they’re gone, and the clock is ticking.
The Basics: 504 Plan vs. IEP
Both a 504 Plan and an IEP serve students with disabilities, but they are not the same.
Let's Get Into It...
In short: If a student needs only accommodations, a 504 Plan is often enough. If they require specialized instruction or modifications, they need an IEP under IDEA.
In detail:
504 Plan
Purpose: Ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to education by providing accommodations.
Law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (a civil rights law).
Eligibility: A student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., learning, walking, reading).
Services Provided: Primarily accommodations (e.g., extra time on tests, preferential seating, assistive technology), but not specialized instruction.
Implementation: Managed by the general education team.
Review Process: Periodically reviewed, but no strict annual requirements.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
Purpose: Provides specialized instruction and services tailored to meet the educational needs of a student with a disability.
Law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (a special education law).
Eligibility: The student must have one of 13 specific disabilities listed in IDEA (e.g., autism, dyslexia, ADHD, speech impairment) and require special education services.
Services Provided: Includes accommodations, modifications, and specialized instruction (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, small group instruction).
Implementation: Managed by a special education team, including teachers, therapists, and parents.
Review Process: Must be reviewed and updated annually with a full reevaluation every three years.
Why This Matters Right Now
The Trump administration’s push to dismantle the Department of Education could undermine both 504 Plans and IEPs in major ways:
1. Loss of Federal Oversight
The Department of Education ensures states comply with disability rights laws like IDEA and Section 504. Without it, enforcement would fall to the states—many of which have a history of underfunding special education.
This could lead to:
Fewer resources for students with disabilities
More schools refusing services due to lack of funding
Parents being forced to fight harder for their child’s rights
2. Weakened Civil Rights Protections
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigates schools that deny students accommodations under 504 Plans. If this office disappears or weakens, who holds schools accountable? Students with disabilities could face more discrimination, and parents might have nowhere to turn.
3. Funding Uncertainty for Special Education
IEPs are funded through federal grants, which may not continue if the Department of Education is dismantled. If states take over funding, wealthier areas may maintain services, while lower-income districts struggle to provide basic special education support. The result? An even wider gap in educational equity.
What Can We Do?
1. Know Your Rights – Parents and educators must educate themselves on IDEA and Section 504. Schools are legally required to provide these services, no matter what happens at the federal level.
2. Advocate for Funding – Contact state and local lawmakers. If the federal government steps back, states must be pressured to step up.
3. Stay Engaged – Join parent advocacy groups, attend school board meetings, and push back against policies that harm students with disabilities.
The fight for educational equity is not over, but it just got harder. Understanding the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP is just the beginning. Protecting them is the next step, because every child deserves an education that meets their needs, ALL of their needs!
If you have any questions you can drop them in the comments or you can always set up a Free Introductory Call by clicking here. You can also purchase my eResouce, Advocate Unapologetically, by heading over to my "Shop" on the website.
As a Parent Empowerment Advocate, I help parents build the confidence and knowledge to advocate for their children effectively and unapologetically.
Love yall, mean it!
Trese, Unapologetically
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