SPECIAL EDUCATION/504
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law ensuring services to children with disabilities. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. In exchange for federal money, schools must guarantee that all children with disabilities will receive a “free, appropriate public education.”
WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?
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WHAT IS SECTION 504?
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Special education is specially designed instruction that addresses the unique needs of a student eligible to receive special education services. Special education is provided at no cost to parents and includes the related services a student needs to access her/his educational program.
School Age (ages 3 – 21): Students with disabilities who are determined eligible for special education and related services are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Services are provided to eligible students according to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in preschools, elementary, and secondary schools, or other appropriate settings. PARENT AND STUDENT RIGHTS (PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS) OSPI LINK TO SPECIAL EDUCATION ***FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S CASEMANAGER OR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST. |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called “Section 504,” is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. To be protected by these laws, a student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Under Section 504, students with disabilities can access the accommodations, aids, and services they need to access and benefit from education. Section 504 requires that public schools provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to every student with a disability — regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. SECTION 504 NOTICE OF STUDENT RIGHTS SECTION 504 NOTICE OF PARENT RIGHTS FAQ OSPI LINK TO SECTION 504 ***FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER'S COUNSELOR: NICOLE CORBIN (A-K) OR HANS APPEL (L-Z) |
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SECTION 504?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against students based on disability. Section 504 ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to educational programs, services, and activities. Special education is governed by the IDEA. Accommodations and/or related aids and services provided under Section 504 are included in a Section 504 Plan. Special Education is different from Section 504 because special education requires school districts to provide eligible students with specially designed instruction in accordance with an IEP. Students eligible for special education, however, are still protected from discrimination under Section 504 and have appropriate accommodations and/or related aides and services included as part of their IEP.
HOW DOES SPECIAL EDUCATION WORK?
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HOW DOES SECTION 504 WORK?
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10 STEP GUIDE TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS:
-REFERRAL -CONSENT TO EVALUATE -INITIAL EVALUATION -INITIAL EVALUATION REPORT -ELIGIBILITY/CONSENT -CREATING AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM -SPECIAL EDUCATION BEGINS -PROGRESS MONITORING & ANNUAL IEP REVIEW -REEVALUATION -TRANSITION |
5 STEP GUIDE TO THE SECTION 504 PROCESS:
-REQUEST A REFERRAL FOR EVALUATION -SCHOOL BRINGS A 504 TEAM TOGETHER -504 TEAM EVALUATES STUDENT -504 TEAM CREATES A PLAN AND PUTS THE PLAN INTO ACTION -SCHOOL REVIEWS AND EVALUATES THE 504 PLAN |