504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give students with disabilities the supports that they need.

504 plans prevent discrimination and protect the rights of students with disabilities in school. They are covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which is a federal civil rights law (see also the reference section Federal Laws on this website).

Please note that 504 plans are not part of special education. So, unlike IEPs, they typically do not provide individualized instruction. Instead, 504 plans achieve this goal through accommodations, like extended time on tests or the ability to leave the classroom for short breaks. For more on 504 plans, please see our 504 brochure.

Some students may also get related services through a 504 plan, such as speech-language therapy or study skills classes.