Child Find and Section 504 Information

• Under Section 504, school districts have an obligation to identify, locate, and evaluate any student who may have a disability and may need accommodations or services. This is called Child Find.

• Parents, teachers, and other school staff members may refer a student for a Section 504 evaluation if they suspect the student has a disability that impacts their learning or access to school activities.

 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects students with disabilities from discrimination. It ensures that students with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities have equal access to an education.

Resource: Section 504 TDOE Resource Manual

Step 1: Referral
A referral is made to the school’s Section 504 Coordinator.

Step 2: Notice and Consent
The school provides the parent/guardian with:

• Notice and Consent for Section 504 Evaluation
• A copy of Parent Rights (Procedural Safeguards)

The school may also request a signed Release of Confidential Information in order to obtain reports from outside service providers.

Step 3: Evaluation
The Section 504 Committee collects data from a variety of sources. The Section 504 committee (or team) includes individuals who know the student and the evaluation data; parents, teachers, school counselors, school nurses, the 504 Coordinator, and administrators are examples of 504 team members. The team must be able to understand the child’s needs, interpret data, and consider appropriate support and placement options.

Data collection includes, but is not limited to: 

• Assessment results and records
• Parent Information
• Teacher input and classroom data
• Attendance and discipline records
• Medical documentation
• Information regarding food allergies, including: the nature and severity of the allergy and types of exposure that could trigger a reaction.

Step 4: Eligibility Meeting
The Section 504 Committee convenes to review the evaluation data and determine eligibility.

Step 5: Eligibility Determination
The committee decides whether the student qualifies for Section 504 services.

Step 6: Development of the Section 504 Service Plan
If the student is eligible, the committee develops a written Section 504 Service Plan.

• For students with food allergies, the Individual Health Plan (IHP) must be reviewed to ensure it provides all aids and services required under Section 504 and Title II.

Step 7: Reviews and Re-Evaluations

• Section 504 Plans should be reviewed at least once a year; eligibility must be reviewed every three years.

Step 8: Procedural Safeguards and Parent Notification
Parents must be notified in writing when there is:

• A determination of eligibility or ineligibility
• A significant change in programming or status

Additionally, written parental permission is required before obtaining additional information, data, or tests. 

 

Parents have the right to:

• Receive notice regarding identification, evaluation, and placement.

• Review educational records.

• Participate in meetings related to their child’s 504 Plan.

• Parents can request an impartial hearing to dispute decisions about identification, evaluation, or placement

Please click on the following link to view the Lakeland School System Board Policy 1.802: Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures