Section 504 Rehabilitation Act Program
Eligibility
Having a disability does not automatically make a student eligible for a Section 504 plan. The school must conduct an evaluation to determine whether a child’s disability substantially limits their ability to learn and participate in the general education classroom.
Evaluations for Section 504 eligibility may be initiated by either the parent/guardian or the school. The evaluation considers multiple sources of information, including:
Documentation of the child’s disability (e.g., doctor’s diagnosis)
Results from recent evaluations, including IEP assessments
Observations by parents, teachers, and other school personnel
Academic records and classroom performance
Independent evaluations, if available
Section 504 requires that evaluation procedures prevent misclassification, incorrect labeling, or inappropriate placement of students.
Section 504 Accommodations
Many students may benefit from accommodations in the learning environment. A Section 504 plan is intended for students whose disability substantially limits a major life activity and whose needs are not fully met through classroom instruction alone.
A Section 504 plan is not required for a teacher to provide accommodations. Skilled educators routinely differentiate instruction and provide supports to meet student needs daily.
Appeal Process
Parents who have concerns regarding the evaluation, identification, or implementation of Section 504 services may:
File a written grievance with the Henry County School System’s Section 504 Coordinator.
If unresolved, request an impartial hearing. Requests must be submitted in writing to the Section 504 Coordinator.
For unresolved issues at the district level, parents may contact the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the federal agency that oversees Section 504 compliance.
For more information on Section 504 please visit the state website at: Section 504