Special Education & Section 504: Similarities & Differences

This session offers a practical comparison of IDEA and Section 504, focusing on compliance and school implementation. Participants will review eligibility versus entitlement, including accommodations under Section 504 and specially designed instruction under IDEA, and how misclassification can impact student support. The session covers the shared duty to identify and evaluate students with disabilities, including when a 504 referral should prompt a special education evaluation. Topics include timelines, procedural requirements, informal versus formal data, reevaluation practices, risks of outdated data, implementation fidelity, documentation expectations, and strategies to increase consistent practices across campuses.