The 504 Plan sets out an agreement for making sure the student has the same access to education as do other children. It is a tool that can be used to make sure that the student, the parents/guardians, and school personnel understand their responsibilities and to work out potential problems or misunderstandings ahead of time. A 504 Plan may be developed as a result of a request by the school, a request by the parents/guardians, or in response to a problem with the student’s care at school.

The terms "504 Plan" refers to a plan developed to meet the requirements of a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly referred to as "Section 504"). Section 504 applies to all public schools and to private schools that receive federal funds. A 504 plan would also be appropriate under another law that protects students with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act covers all public schools and all private schools except those run by religious entities. Although such plans are typically referred to as "Section 504 Plans," your school may use a different name.

If your child has qualified for services under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, also known as "IDEA," your child’s school plan may be called an "Individualized Education Plan" or "IEP." Typically, an IEP is more specific than a 504 Plan with regard to the student’s academic needs.

By state law, children in Texas who are identified as having dyslexia are to be provided with training using instructional strategies with the aforementioned components. Children do not have to meet eligibility criteria for special education services in order to receive this specialized instruction. h

Ideally, these documents are developed as a result of a cooperative effort involving the family, the child’s diagnoses team, and the school/school district.

It is important to keep in mind that the attached modifications represent a very  broad range of accommodations that might be needed by a child with learning disabilities in school. If you develop a plan for your child, it should be adapted to the individual needs, abilities, and learning differences of your child and should include only those items that are relevant to your child needs.