Some teachers, particularly in high school, refuse to implement 504 Plans if a student has a hidden disability (e.g.

Schools often will push students toward them to avoid the cost and personnel needed to implement Individualized Education Programs ( IEPs- plans for special education students)

504 Plans are used as a cheap way to avoid special education qualification and services for students.By the time parents realize the 504 Plan alone was not enough, there can be huge problems for the student. After a 504 Plan is put in place, parents may stop getting the disabled student additional outside help, thinking the 504 will handle everything.504 Plans make a parent relax and pay less attention to what is going on with the disabled student at school.Student 504 Plans are often not implemented fully.504 plans often “fake” parents out, meaning parents may accept a 504 Plan and not know the 504 is actually written badly.504 documents do not generally come out of a student’s school records, even if a parent later quits the 504 process or stops consenting to the 504 Plan.These records become part of the student’s permanent record. 504 Plans open the door to school disability assessments, which may contain data a parent disagrees with.Some families want to keep disabilities private or disagree their child has a disability. Students have to get labelled with a disability to get at 504 Plan.What are the impacts? What should a parent consider? Here are some potential negatives that families may want to think about before moving forward with a 504 plan for a student: Most parents do not think about the “bad” things which can result from a student being placed on a 504 plan. 504 Plans form a slight safety net for disabled students.ĥ04s can have many positives for students who need them, such as extended time.Failure to implement a 504 Plan can support a claim for disability discrimination.504 Plans can be enforced by outside agencies, such as the Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education, if a discrimination complaint is lodged.Students’ grades and understanding can improve with a 504 Plan, as their 504 accommodations can be the bridge many students need to succeed in school.When disabled students reach college, it can be simpler to get disability accommodations due to qualifying for a 504 in high school.As 504 Plans are legally enforceable, teachers and staff may be forced to implement them.A student 504 Plan is legally binding on the school and staff.Parents may seek meetings regarding a student 504 Plan as needed, such as if a teacher is not implementing the 504 Plan.Students have some additional due process, prior to long term school exclusions (over 10 days of suspension or expulsion), if they have a 504 Plan.Parents have a hand in developing 504 accommodations for the student.504 accommodations are written to fit the individual student and their unique needs.Students get extras other students don’t, depending on their needs, such as extended time on tests or assignments, taking tests in a quiet location, teacher notes, preferential seating, or other school adjustments which can assist them tremendously in school.So, here are some benefits for a student from having a 504 Plan:

Good Things About Getting a Student a 504 Plan This is highly simplified (see my other posts on 504s), but is the gist of it. Simply put, a 504 Plan is a written accommodations plan for a qualified disabled student in public school, who may not need special education.

504 Plans include lists of accommodations specific to the student.

Accommodations in 504 plan