Can Students Receive Transition Services Under Section 504 Law?

504 Law has a policy that prevents discrimination in a public school setting. Each school district receives federal funding and is required by federal law to abide by Section 504. This law relates to modifications and accommodation and has little to do with specially designed instruction. There are two distinct differences between modification and accommodation. According to Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2008),

Accommodations are intended to reduce or even eliminate the effects of a student’s disability; they do not reduce learning expectations and should not give a false picture of what a student knows and can do…. Modifications actually change what is assessed; therefore, they affect the validity of scores…An example of a modification would be to adjust the test questions to lessen the content demands of the problem (p. 11).

The 504 plan might include things like where the child sits in class, using assisted technology such as a word processor or computer to produce written work, have test read to them as long as there are no coaching of answers involved and receive additional time to finish tests or complete assignments. Some students have note takers. Just because a person qualifies under the 504 law, it doesn’t mean they qualify for transition services.  To qualify for transition services, a student must be receiving specialized instruction and a 504 plan doesn’t automatically qualify a person for specialized instruction.

For more Special Education Resources see: The Special Education Profession  Who can get Services Under these Laws?  Special Education and Mainstreaming  Disability Resources and Advocates

Special Education Secondary Transition Funding

The Governing Body for Special Education and Its History

Special Education and Secondary Transition Services Policies