Section 504

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is a national civil rights law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disabilities. It is designed to eliminate discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Since all public schools receive federal funding, all public school districts must comply with Section 504.

Section 504 is not meant to maximize a student's potential. It is meant to level the playing field so that disabled students have the opportunity to participate and benefit from educational academic and extra curricular programs. It requires school districts to meet the needs of disabled students as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students. Because Section 504 seeks equality of opportunity and benefit between the disabled and non-disabled students, it relies on making comparisons between the student being evaluated with his/her non-disabled peers.

Section 504 requires school districts to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified student within the district who has a disability that substantially limits his/her participation in or benefit from programs and activities, regardless of the severity of the disability. 

Section 504 Process and Procedures
The Northshore School District maintains the following Section 504 Process and Procedures:

1. Referral for Section 504 evaluation
2. Initial Parent Consent for evaluation
3.
 		Evaluation - gathering of pertinent data and information to determine student's eligibility
4.
 		Determination of eligibility

a. Placement and Development of 504 Plan if disabled student qualifies
5.
 		Parent notification of action
6.
 		Parent consent of action

a. Opportunity for parents to examine relevant records

b. Right to due process hearing

c. Right to the review of an adverse hearing decision
7.
 		Implementation of 504 Plan once parent consent obtained
8.
 		Yearly re-evaluations





Parents have the right to review educational records and appeal any decisions regarding evaluation and placement through an impartial hearing. There is no mediation requirement under Section 504. 

Testing Accommodations - ACT & SAT

ACT:  http://www.act.org/aap/disab/index.html
SAT:  http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/prof/index.html

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Learn More About Section 504 Plans

For questions and concerns regarding the process and procedures of Section 504, please contact the following district staff.

  • Your student's elementary school Principal
  • Your student's secondary school Counseling Department
  • Section 504 Officer
Dr. Chris Bigelow
Director of Student Services
425-408-7726