IMPLEMENTING SECTION 504 A Step by Step Guide Arizona Dept. of Education Exceptional Student Services

Why is 504 Important? (A)(3) “Pupils with section 504 plans as defined in section shall not be required to achieve passing scores on competency tests in order to graduate from high school unless the pupil is learning at a level appropriate for the pupil’s grade level in a specific academic area and unless passing scores on a competency test is specifically required in a specific academic area by the pupil’s section 504 plan that is developed in consultation with the pupil’s parents.”

Why is 504 Important? Disciplinary Proceedings  Suspension  Expulsion  Use of Drugs and Alcohol

504 Definition has 3 Prongs  A physical or mental impairment  That poses a substantial limitation  On a major life activity  Learning  Participating  Accessing

Mental or Physical Impairment: Evaluation  A doctor’s note on a prescription pad - “Needs 504 Plan” - is not enough  An evaluation must exist/be performed to determine eligibility  The evaluation must be performed by a group of qualified persons  May include parent, doctor, school staff, outside experts

Evaluation  Performed to determine the existence of a disability  May be a:  comprehensive review of records and existing information;  Some additional assessment  Full blown psycho-educational evaluation  Or anything in-between  Reevaluation at least every 3 years

Substantial Limitation: Eligibility After the existence of the impairment is documented, how does it substantially limit a major life activity?  Pervasive across learning environments  Non-selective  Significantly impairs access

Eligibility  If the student is not eligible, use common sense and best practices to identify differentiated learning strategies to assist the student in succeeding. Ensure that your evaluation is thorough enough to withstand a challenge, especially in AIMS assessment and disciplinary proceedings.

504 Accommodation Plan  What is it?  A [written] plan that lists the necessary accommodations to minimize the impact of the impairment. The goal is to level the playing field and grant equal access.  Accommodations, not modifications: accommodations do not change the content of the material or level of accomplishment needed. They change how a student gains access or how they demonstrate learning/proficiency. Think of it as environmental engineering.

504 Accommodation Plan  Who creates it?  Whoever works with the student (think outside of the box to include bus driver, cafeteria staff, lunch monitors, etc.) that might encounter a situation where the impairment manifests itself.  Consider all school environments and requirements. Get input from a variety of sources, including the nurse, student, parent, and relevant outside professionals (doctor).

504 Accommodation Plan  Who gets a copy of it?  Each teacher serving the student (don’t forget second semester teachers!)  Other school staff who will need to implement provisions of the Plan (bus drivers, lunch aides, cafeteria staff, nurse, etc)  Student if able to understand and self- advocate

504 Plan  Where is it kept?  Cumulative file so it is sent along with other records when records are requested by another school  504 coordinator’s file  Teachers’ plan books (available to subs)  Bus Driver route book/log where a sub driver can see it  FERPA applies

504 Accommodation Plan  When must the Plan be reviewed?  At least once each year  If classes that are changed or added may have impact on the plan’s appropriateness/ effectiveness  If the impairment changes significantly  If the building/class location changes  If the curriculum changes

504 Coordinator  Usually a central office administrator  OCR contact  Assists local school coordinators with implementation, ensuring compliance  Receives 504 appeals  Budgets funds to help school purchase equipment/services beyond the usual, e.g. computer software/hardware, aide for field trips, wheelchair bus for fieldtrips, etc.

School Coordinator  Usually the principal or assistant principal  Chairs the 504 meetings  Maintains copies of 504 evaluations and accommodation plans  Maintains a database of due dates for evaluations (3 yrs) and accommodation plans (1 yr)  Monitors implementation of 504 Plans  Has the authority to compel a staff member to comply

Points to Remember  A student with an impairment must be “Otherwise Qualified” for a discrimination claim to be valid  Accommodations, not Modifications  Reasonable Accommodations  Equal Access  Refusal to implement a 504 Plan is willful discrimination and a Section 1983 violation

Points to Remember  Current drug and alcohol use/sale automatically cancels 504 protections  OCR often uses IDEA guidelines (3 yr evaluations, 1 yr Plan reviews, suspension and expulsion considerations, etc)  FERPA confidentiality provisions apply to Section 504

Good Steps to Take  Use your school attorney to review 504 appeal decisions, whenever in doubt. Not all attorneys are created equal; make sure they know 504.  Subscribe to a good 504 Report publication.  Use staff meetings (administrator and school level) to review 504 issues.

Good Steps to Take  Use differentiated instruction, accessible mainstream technology, and assistive technology to assist all students. If students are succeeding and have access to what they need in the regular routine, they won’t need to be identified. There will not be a “substantial limitation”.