Do colleges have to follow 504 plans?

No, colleges are not legally required to follow high school 504 Plans or IEPs because those documents expire after high school graduation; however, colleges are still subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and must provide "reasonable accommodations" for eligible students, requiring them to register with the disability office, provide documentation, and receive appropriate, effective adjustments like extended time or note-taking help, not the specific K-12 plan.

Does your 504 plan follow you to college?

The short answer is there are no IEPs or 504 plans in college. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that provides students with IEPs, no longer applies to them once they graduate from high school.

Does the college board accept 504 accommodations?

Students who use accommodations in school or have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan are not automatically approved for College Board testing accommodations. They must still request accommodations from the College Board.

Is it illegal to not follow a 504 plan?

If the school is still not following your child's 504 plan after you contact your state's PTI or hire an advocate, you can file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education.

What is the 504 law in Kentucky?

Kentucky's "504 law" refers to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law preventing disability discrimination, requiring public schools to provide reasonable accommodations (a 504 Plan) for students with impairments that substantially limit major life activities, ensuring they receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) just like non-disabled peers, with oversight by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). 

FAQ #1 Do colleges follow IEPs and 504 plans?

What states are suing for 504 accommodations?

A group of 17 states have sued the United States government. The 17 states are Texas, Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.

Who regulates 504 plans?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of benefits and services as amended 29 USC § 794, against otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

What happens if a teacher refuses to follow a 504?

Regular education teachers must implement the provisions of Section 504 plans when those plans govern the teachers' treatment of students for whom they are responsible. If the teachers fail to implement the plans, such failure can cause the school district to be in noncompliance with Section 504.

What are common 504 plan violations?

Many times, there can also be substantive violations if the school fails to provide the student with services and accommodations outlined in the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) which can include the following: Failure to provide the appropriate level of service to meet the student's needs as outlined in the IEP.

Why do schools push 504 instead of IEP?

A student gets a 504 plan instead of an IEP when they have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity but doesn't require specialized instruction (like separate teaching or modified curriculum) for progress, only accommodations (like extra time or seating changes) to access the general education curriculum, with 504 plans being broader and less formal than IEPs under different federal laws (Section 504 vs. IDEA).
 

Is a 504 considered special needs?

Section 504 is similar to special education in some ways, yet very different in other ways. Section 504 eligibility is broader than special education, in that special education limits eligibility to 13 categories of “disabilities” and requires an educational need for services.

What are examples of unreasonable accommodations in college?

Unreasonable accommodations would include those that might fundamentally alter the academic program or lower the standards of the College (e.g., waiver of essential course requirements, attendance, etc.).

Can colleges deny accommodations?

A college may deny a student's accommodation request for several reasons. First, an institution can decline requests that represent a fundamental alteration in the nature of an academic program, such as excusing a premed student from laboratory classes.

What is the downside of a 504 plan?

Disadvantages of 504 Plans include lack of specific goals/progress monitoring compared to IEPs, potential for vague accommodations, heavy reliance on teacher awareness, risk of being seen as a "cheap" alternative to special education, possible stigma, and the need for significant parental advocacy to ensure proper implementation, as plans can be poorly written or ignored. 

Does a 504 affect your transcript?

Section 504 and Title II do not have specific provisions addressing report cards or transcripts. In general, Section 504 and Title II prohibit recipients and public entities from treating persons differently on the basis of disability in the provision of aid, benefits, or services.

Is an IEP stronger than a 504?

An IEP will likely include accommodations but may also include modifications that modify the general education curriculum. A student with an IEP may also have specific interventions (i.e., a reading intervention) or services provided (i.e., speech-language pathology). In general, IEPs are more robust than 504 plans.

Is it illegal to not follow a 504?

If a school or school district is not complying with the requirements of Section 504 or IDEA in its treatment and education of students with disabilities, any concerned individual (parents, students, or educators) can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, and they will ...

Do 504s transfer to college?

One central fact is important to understand - IEPs or 504 plans are not valid once students either graduate from high school or age out of the system, and those plans don't “transfer” to college. IDEA doesn't cover colleges, so IEPs essentially "expire" once students are out of high school.

Are states suing to get rid of 504?

In September 2024, 17 states filed a court case against the United States government. The states want to get rid of Section 504. The case is called Texas v. Becerra.

Do parents have to consent to a 504 plan?

Q: Must schools get permission from parents before getting students involved in Section 504 services? A: No, consent is not required; however, schools are required to inform parents before following procedures required under Section 504.

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning. 

Can you sue school for not following IEP?

Can I sue a school for not following the IEP? No, not really. If you were to file a lawsuit, most judges will throw out the case if you have not gone through Due Process first. You can file for Due Process for the school district or LEA not providing FAPE.

Is a 504 plan federally protected?

Legal Protections for 504 Plans

First, a 504 plan is protected under federal civil rights laws as outlined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Why do schools push for 504 instead of IEP?

A student gets a 504 plan instead of an IEP when they have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity but doesn't require specialized instruction (like separate teaching or modified curriculum) for progress, only accommodations (like extra time or seating changes) to access the general education curriculum, with 504 plans being broader and less formal than IEPs under different federal laws (Section 504 vs. IDEA).
 

Can a teacher fail a student with a 504 plan?

Public schools can discipline any student who breaks school rules. But students with IEPs and 504 plans have extra protections when it comes to discipline.