IEP & 504 Plans
If your child is struggling at school, it can be difficult to tell whether the next step is an evaluation, a change to the plan, or help getting promised services delivered. Schiller Justice Center helps families understand the records, frame their concerns, and consider practical next steps.
When to seek guidance
Consider seeking guidance when an evaluation is delayed or refused; the school says your child is not eligible; a plan does not address the problems you are seeing; agreed services are missing; progress reports raise concerns; or a disciplinary decision, placement change, or important deadline is approaching. You do not need to know which law applies before asking for help.
Legal help can include reviewing evaluations and school records, assessing whether a plan addresses documented needs, and checking whether promised services are being delivered. Depending on the agreed scope, it can also include preparing written requests or meeting questions and communicating with the school on a family’s behalf. A consultation can clarify whether further representation would be useful.
IEP and Section 504: what is the difference?
An IEP is the written plan for a student who qualifies for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It addresses the student’s educational needs through goals, special education, related services, and other required provisions.
Section 504 is a civil-rights law that protects eligible students with disabilities from discrimination. In public schools, its protections can include regular or special education and related aids and services, as well as accommodations. A 504 plan is not limited to extra time on tests.
Eligibility depends on the applicable legal standards and an evaluation of the student’s needs; a diagnosis alone does not settle the question.
Before a consultation.
Make a short timeline and identify the two or three concerns you most want to resolve. Gather the current IEP or 504 plan, evaluations, progress reports, relevant emails, disciplinary notices, and any written decision or deadline. The initial Education Law Evaluation does not include advance document review. Detailed review requires a separate agreement on scope and fee.
If a meeting has not resolved the problem.
The next step depends on the issue and the result you are seeking. Tennessee IDEA procedures include administrative complaints, mediation, and due process hearings. Section 504 concerns can involve different school procedures and civil-rights complaint routes. These options have different requirements and deadlines; do not assume that one process replaces another.
Book an Education Law Evaluation
A focused 30-minute consultation is $225. The consultation addresses the concern and possible next steps. Advance document review, school advocacy, investigation, and ongoing representation require a separate agreement. Booking does not pause a deadline or automatically create an attorney-client relationship.