When dealing with any special education issue, or general
education issue, it is important to remember that no two subjects are alike.
Each subject presents a unique case that carries with it its own individual
background and needs. To try to accommodate for all these cases a number of
legal practices and laws have been set forth over the years. Two of the major
ones include IEPs and 504s. IEPs, which stand for individualized education programs
are required by law if a child meets one of the thirteen qualifying conditions.
This process, heavily utilizing parental input, is a structured blueprint of
educational goals and specifics on how a child will receive their education and
reach those goals. This entire process is carefully planned out at the hands of
an expert team who work to best suit individual needs. 504 plans are in a way a
separate step. While IEPs deal specifically with students who have learning disabilities,
504s are more so accommodations for students who have equal ability to learn
but some form of mental or physical impairment. A brief example could be
students with epilepsy, ADHD, or dysfunctions from cancer related symptoms. Often time students who do not meet
requirements for an IEP will then go through the 504 plan process to suit their
needs. All in all, both pieces of law are set forth to grant equal access to
education for all students, regardless of condition. In doing so, no student is
unfairly treated and is given the opportunity to succeed with the support necessary.
A more detailed look at each can be found below in the Venn diagram.
References
Hancock, M. (2016). Understanding the 13 categories of Special Education. Retrieved
from https://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/section-504.html
Derrick,
ReplyDeleteGreat job discussing the differences between a 504 versus an IEP. I like your comment that "accommodations for students who have equal ability to learn but some form of mental or physical impairment", however, in my eyes, I still see this as a type of disability. I see a 504 plan as a disability that just might not be as severe in the case of a student with an IEP and thus he/she only needs accommodation not modification. Would you agree or disagree? Just curious! Also excellent venn diagram craftsmanship!
Derrick,
ReplyDeleteI like your example for disabilities that might qualify for the 504. One thing I tend to forget is that students with medical conditions that require them to be out of the classroom during instructional time can qualify students for a 504. These conditions could be similar to diabetes where a student is required to go to the nurse to test their glucose levels. It is very helpful for the students to be supported when they are dealing with their disabilities.
Derrick,
ReplyDeleteGreat job talking about the differences and similarities that 504 plans and IEPs have. I also like how you said IEPs are blueprints for a student's educational goals as these plans detail the steps that a teacher and school must make to properly accommodate a student. There's always an emphasis with schools and educational professionals being greatly involved in IEPs and 504 plans, but parents must be involved as well in order to provide consent. For teachers having over 20 kids in the classroom, differentiation and abiding by the plans will be essential in providing a fair and thriving classroom.
Derrick
ReplyDeleteI like your example for disabilities that may qualify for an IEP. in fact, there are many differences between these two plans, but the first and most fundamental is they are governed by different laws. An IEP is governed by a special education law. However, 504 is governed under a civil rights law. And that makes a difference in what kinds of services and how an IEP and 504 plans come together. For example, people having dyslexia would qualify for an IEP. However, having this disability may not be enough to get an IEP. In addition, your child’s disability also must affect his performance in the classroom, and that is very important to know because sometimes parents think that just having disability qualifies for an IEP, but you also need to make sure that it’s making a difference. It has what is called educational impact-adverse impact in the classroom.