Common Terms

According to US Legal.com, A 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child, with a disability pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 attending an elementary or secondary educational institution, receives accommodations providing him/her access to the learning environment. Accommodations include wheelchair-accessible facilities, adjustable-height tables, large-print reading materials, and increased time to complete assignments and tests.

According to Florida Statutes Title XLVIII:  Early Learning - 20 Education Code; Chapter 1003.53:  Public K-12 Education, those students in grades K-12 eligible for dropout prevention and academic intervention programs, shall be provided strategies and support...

Accommodations, as they relate to an IEP or a 504 plan, allows for a variation in the instructional environment to allow a student to complete an assignment, quiz, test, etc.  These can allow for variances on time, setting, and how the work to be completed is presented to the student or how the student may reply to the work.  An accommodation does not modify what the student is taught relative to their peers.

According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, Assistive Technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt. AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.

According to Understood.org, the Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) is a formal, written plan that teaches and rewards good behavior. The purpose is to prevent or stop misbehavior.

A disability is a condition recognized by law.  In order to qualify for an IEP or a 504, the student must have a condition that listed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Each state may differ in the disabilities that they support from the IDEA.

Due Process is a formal legal proceeding(s), allowing a parent/guardian and/or a student to dispute that the school/district met the policies and procedures as outlined under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

According to US Legal.com, Title 32:  National Defense; Subtitle A Department of Defense; Chapter I:  Office of the Secretary Of Defense; Subchapter D Personnel, Military and Civilian; Part 57 Provision of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DoD Dependent], Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written document defining specially designed instruction for a student with a disability, ages 3 through 21 years, inclusive.

Modification, as they relate to IEPs, allow for changes in the student's individual expectations related to the standards of the district/state.  These may include, alternate books/materials, pass/no pass grading option, etc.