• Section 504

    Section 504 is a federal civil law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States… shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

    IPSD 204 must provide a free appropriate public education to district students who are eligible under Section 504.  Instruction must be individually designed to meet the needs of those students as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities. An appropriate education under Section 504 requires that the services be uniquely tailored to meet each student’s needs.

    Although Section 504 does not require schools to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with annual goals, the school does provide written documentation for each student identified and provide accommodations and/or services under Section 504.  If school staff or a parent suspect that a student may need a 504 Plan, a referral should be made, evaluations conducted, and possible identification determined by a team knowledgeable about the student.  If the student is identified, the team may develop a Section 504 Plan.

    Each building has a Section 504 Coordinator. If your child has a disability which “substantially limits one or more major life activities,” please contact your building Section 504 Coordinator for additional information regarding your child.

    Links and Documents