Below you will find our updated Section 504 plan including links to important information about 504 services. This information will also be posted on our district website. Thank you to the Keystone AEA, AEA 267, and Nurse Vicki for attending the training. Any questions please contact me.
Section 504
Section 504 is a federal law which protects the rights of persons with qualifying disabilities. It requires that recipients of federal funds make their programs and activities accessible to all persons with disabilities.
Section 504 has three areas of emphasis: employment; facility and accessibility; and requirements for preschool, elementary, and secondary education programs/activities.
It must be emphasized that Section 504 falls under the responsibility of the general education program. It is also important to understand that schools receive no additional funding to implement Section 504 accommodations. At each school, the responsibility for ensuring Section 504 compliance rests with the building principal or principal designee.
How does Section 504 define disability?
Section 504 protects persons from discrimination based upon their disability status. A person is considered to have a disability if he or she:
- has a mental or physical disability impairment which substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities;
- has a record of such impairment; or
- is regarded as having such an impairment.
In general terms, this means that without accommodations and/or interventions, the student would not have a comparable opportunity to an appropriate education.
Contacts
Section 504 Coordinator
Nick Trenkamp- Superintendent/Elementary Principal
563-245-1751
Equity Coordinator
Jane Metcalf- Curriculum Director/Guidance Counselor
563-245-1751
Getting Started
A Parent’s Guide to Section 504- Often used by districts to notify parents of their rights under Section 504 and to serve as Second Notice.
Section 504 Notification Letter to Parents- Used to notify parents that an evaluation for a possible 504 plan is needed.
Determining Eligibility
Section 504 Eligibility Determination Form- General student student with needs assessment to determine eligibility.
Writing a Plan
Reviewing a Plan
District Responsibilities
- District plan has been developed, reviewed, and/or updated within the last school year and clearly outlines Child Find, referral, evaluation, and implementation procedures to ensure compliance.
- Section 504 Coordinator is identified and trained.
- Grievance procedure is developed, operational, and accessible. This is provided to parents at each meeting and is published in district materials.
- District publishes contact information regarding the Section 504 Coordinator on an annual basis, in all public documents, website, parent and student handbooks.
- Staff is trained in district procedures related to Child Find, referral, evaluation, implementation, and the grievance process.
- District annually notifies students with disabilities and their parents or guardians of the school district’s responsibilities under Section 504, including:
- Notice of their rights,
- Opportunity to review relevant records, and
- An impartial hearing. Parents or guardians must be notified their right to request a hearing regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of students with disabilities.
- District implements appropriate educational programs for students with disabilities.
- Records, including a transition plan, are maintained to support district compliance and implementation.
It is important to remember that Section 504 is unique and different from IDEA. It is not a program mandate; it is an antidiscrimination law. School districts need to provide students with qualifying disabilities a comparable opportunity, as compared to students without disabilities, to participate in school district activities, as well as receive school district benefits and services.
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