Section 504

Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504

On July 19, 2022, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services released multiple guidance documents to help public elementary and secondary schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline. These newly released resources are the most comprehensive guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities concerning student discipline, and include: (1) a 41-page guidance on avoiding the discriminatory use of student discipline under Section 504; (2) an accompanying fact sheet summarizing the main points of the guidance; (3) a 57-page Q&A regarding IDEA’s disciplinary provisions; (4) a 19-page technical assistance guide describing positive, proactive approaches to supporing the needs of children with disabilities; and (5) a letter from Secretary of Education Cardona to stakeholders. Read more about and connect with each document in CPIR’s abstract.

Buzz | Potpourri of News and Resources

There’s quite a mix of news to share in this issue of the Buzz: news and resources from the Feds; resources focused on supporting the physical and behavioral health of American Indians and Alaska Natives; and articles on helping children with disabilities coping with change. They are all yours for the coming, reading, and sharing.

Otras Leyes Importantes

Actualizado, julio de 2021   Hay muchas leyes en los Estados Unidos relevantes a las personas con discapacidades. La más poderosa es el Acta para la Educación de Individuos con Discapacidades, conocido en inglés como “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” o IDEA (por sus siglas). Esta es la ley de educación especial en el país. […]

Modifying an IEP or 504 for Distance or Hybrid Learning

(2020) | Useful to Parent Centers for sharing with families and schools Also available in Spanish. As the year begins with distance or hybrid learning at most schools, many parents are worried that pre-pandemic IEP plans may leave students with disabilities without vital services. Luckily, IEP or 504 plans aren’t set in stone. If a […]

School Discipline: The Rights of Students with IEPs and 504 Plans

(2019, May) | Available in English and Spanish | Useful to Parent Centers and the families and professionals they serve. Some kids have learning and attention issues that cause them to misbehave. If they have an IEP or a 504 plan, what happens if they break a school rule? Can they be disciplined? And if […]

Disability & Education Laws

Current as of July 2017   Since the 1960s, there has been a virtual avalanche of federal legislation that relates directly or indirectly to individuals with disabilities, particularly children and youth. Use the links below to explore several of the most influential laws. These form the core of current protection against discrimination and current guarantees […]

Section 504 Review and Students with Medical Disabilities | Video

(2016) | Useful to Parent Centers to offer training to families and others about Section 504 and students with medical disabilities. This 26-minute video is a product of the Utah Parent Center. Other Parent Centers can use the video in their own trainings or connect families with the video online for their own convenient viewing. […]

Know Your Rights in Charter Schools

On December 28, 2016, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at U.S. Department of Education released a set of guidance resources on the rights of students with disabilities in public charter schools under Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The set of resources includes:

a jointly-issued Dear Colleague Letter,
several question-and-answer documents, and
a Know Your Rights fact sheet.

Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504

(2016, December) | Useful to Parent Centers for sharing with staff, students with disabilities, families, schools, and other stakeholders. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education has released the Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. The 52-page resource guide provides a broad overview of […]

Dear Colleague Letter on Preventing Racial Discrimination in Special Education

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education issued a 25-page Dear Colleague Letter on Preventing Racial Discrimination in Special Education on December 12, 2016, to help ensure that all students, regardless of race, color, or national origin, have equitable access to high-quality general and special education instruction.