Special Education Students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) administered by special education teachers. An IEP provides opportunities for students to be successful in school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
In addition, special education teachers work with general education teachers in order to implement accommodations and modifications according to their IEP, in order to provide access to the general education curriculum. These accommodations, modifications and classes will help students to be successful in school and in the future.
Section 504
“504 plan" refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling. “Disability” in this context refers to a "physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities." This can include physical impairments; illnesses or injuries; communicable diseases; chronic conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes; and learning problems. A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for these students to have an opportunity perform at the same level as their peers, and might include such things as wheelchair ramps, blood sugar monitoring, an extra set of textbooks, a peanut-free lunch environment, home instruction, or a tape recorder for taking notes.
