Decide Your Path and Open the File
- Decide: IEP evaluation, Section 504 plan, or both1 hour
Decide: IEP evaluation, Section 504 plan, or both
An IEP evaluation under IDEA determines whether the child has a disability listed in 34 CFR § 300.8 and needs specially designed instruction as a result. A Section 504 plan requires only that the child have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity — it provides accommodations inside general education, not specialized instruction. A child can qualify for a 504 plan without qualifying for an IEP, but not the reverse: a district that finds a child ineligible for an IEP must still consider Section 504.
Requesting both starts IDEA's more rigorous evaluation timeline and keeps the lighter 504 route open as a fallback if the IEP evaluation comes back ineligible.
· IEP evaluation (IDEA) Section 504 plan Legal standard Disability under 34 CFR § 300.8 AND need for specialized instruction Impairment that substantially limits a major life activity What it produces Individualized Education Program with specialized instruction and services Accommodation plan inside general education, no specialized instruction Evaluation depth Full multi-disciplinary evaluation across every suspected category Lighter eligibility review, often from existing documentation How to choose: Request an IEP evaluation when the child likely needs specialized instruction, not just accommodations. Request a 504 plan when accommodations alone would give equal access. When unsure, request both.
To do
Which are you requesting from the district?