IEP vs. 504 Plan: Understanding the Key Differences in Student Support
When you first learn your child needs extra support in school, you enter a world of new terminology. No two terms are more central, or more commonly confused, than “IEP” and “504 Plan.” While both are legal documents that provide support for students, they serve different purposes, are governed by different laws, and provide different levels of service.
Let’s dive deeper into what each of these means for your child.
The IEP: A Blueprint for Special Education
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document governed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Think of it as a detailed blueprint for your child’s entire education.
- Individualized Education Program: The key word is “individualized.” An IEP is custom-built to meet your child’s unique needs.
- Special Education Services: This is the core of an IEP. It provides specialized instruction, meaning it changes how your child is taught. This could include being pulled out for small-group reading instruction with a special educator using a specific, evidence-based program.
- Specific Disabilities: To qualify for an IEP, a student must have one of 13 specific disabilities listed in IDEA (such as a Specific Learning Disability, which includes dyslexia) AND that disability must negatively impact their ability to make academic progress.
- Legal Document: An IEP is a legally binding contract. The school is required to provide all the services and supports listed in the document. It comes with strong procedural safeguards for parents.
The 504 Plan: A Tool for Equal Access
A 504 Plan gets its name from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a major Civil Rights Law. Its primary purpose is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to the general education curriculum.
- Provides Accommodations: A 504 Plan is about leveling the playing field. It provides accommodations, which are changes to the learning environment. Examples include extra time on tests, preferential seating, or access to audiobooks. It changes how a child accesses their education, but it does not change what they are taught.
- Equal Access: The goal is to ensure a student with a disability has the same access to learning opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
- Physical or Mental Impairment: The eligibility for a 504 is broader than for an IEP. A student can qualify if they have any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as reading, concentrating, or breathing.
Key Differences at a Glance
Governing Law
IEP: Governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a special education law that provides federal funding to states.
504 Plan: Governed by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination.
Main Purpose
IEP: Provides specialized instruction and related services. Changes what and how a child is taught.
504 Plan: Provides accommodations for equal access. Changes how a child accesses the general curriculum.
Who Qualifies?
IEP: Students with one of 13 specific disabilities listed in IDEA (such as a Specific Learning Disability) that adversely affects their educational performance.
504 Plan: Students with any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as reading, concentrating, or walking).
What It Provides
IEP: Special education services, measurable annual goals, related services (like speech therapy), and accommodations. A comprehensive educational program.
504 Plan: Accommodations and modifications to the learning environment. Examples include extra time on tests, preferential seating, or assistive technology.
The Document
IEP: A detailed, legally binding contract with strict procedural safeguards. Requires annual meetings and regular progress monitoring.
504 Plan: A less formal plan that outlines accommodations. Typically reviewed annually but with fewer procedural requirements.
Which Plan is Right for Your Child?
The choice between an IEP and a 504 Plan comes down to one fundamental question: Does your child need specialized instruction to learn, or do they need accommodations to access the general curriculum?
If your child with dyslexia requires intensive, evidence-based reading instruction to learn how to decode, an IEP is the appropriate vehicle for those services. If your child can learn in the general education classroom but needs tools like audiobooks or extra time to show what they know, a 504 Plan may be sufficient.
Understanding the difference is the first step to ensuring your child gets the right support to thrive in school.
Related reading:
Ready to Advocate for Your Child?
Navigating special education can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Get personalized guidance for your child's IEP journey.
Start Your Free TrialAbout the Author: This guide was created by the team at IEP Advocate.ai, a platform built by parents, for parents, to make special education advocacy accessible to everyone. Our mission is to empower parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to secure the services their children deserve—starting with demanding real data, not just empty promises.