The Question Every Parent Asks
You know your child needs support at school. Maybe they have ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another condition that makes learning harder. The school mentions "IEP" or "504 Plan" and suddenly you're drowning in acronyms and legal jargon.
Which one does your child need? What's the actual difference? And why does it matter?
Let's break this down in plain English, because the right choice can dramatically impact your child's education.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IEP | 504 Plan |
| Legal Foundation | IDEA (Federal special education law) | Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act (Civil rights law) |
| Purpose | Provide specialized instruction and services | Provide equal access through accommodations |
| Eligibility | Must have 1 of 13 IDEA disabilities AND need special education | Any disability that substantially limits a major life activity |
| Stricter Standard? | Yes - narrower eligibility | No - broader eligibility |
| Individualized Goals | Yes - measurable annual goals required | No - focuses on access, not academic progress |
| Specialized Instruction | Yes - specially designed teaching methods | No - same curriculum with accommodations |
| Related Services | Yes - speech therapy, OT, counseling, etc. | Limited - only if needed for equal access |
| Parent Participation | Required by law - parents are team members | Encouraged but not legally required |
| Progress Monitoring | Required - regular reports on goal progress | Not required - though good practice |
| Funding | Federal funding provided to schools | No federal funding |
| Protections | Strong procedural safeguards | Fewer procedural protections |
| Discipline Protections | Manifestation Determination Review required | Limited protections |
Which One Does Your Child Need?
Your child likely needs an IEP if:
- They need specialized teaching methods (like Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia) - They're significantly behind grade level and need intensive intervention - They need related services like speech therapy, OT, or counseling - Accommodations alone aren't enough—they need different instruction - You want measurable goals and regular progress monitoring
Your child likely needs a 504 Plan if:
- They can access the general curriculum with accommodations - They have ADHD and need extended time, breaks, or preferential seating - They have a medical condition requiring accommodations (diabetes, severe allergies) - They don't need specialized instruction, just leveling the playing field - They're performing adequately with support
The key question: Does your child need to be TAUGHT differently, or do they just need ACCOMMODATIONS to access the same teaching?
Can You Have Both?
No, you can't have both an IEP and a 504 Plan at the same time. Here's why:
If your child qualifies for an IEP, they automatically qualify for 504 protections too. The IEP is more comprehensive and includes everything a 504 would provide, plus more.
Think of it this way: An IEP is a 504 Plan PLUS specialized instruction and services. If you have an IEP, you don't need a separate 504.
However, you CAN transition from one to the other. Some students start with an IEP in elementary school and transition to a 504 Plan in high school when they no longer need specialized instruction but still benefit from accommodations.