Section 504 Referral Process
Step 1: Initial Referral Process
- An initial referral to the Section 504 Team begins the evaluation process for a student. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or adult student referrals should be requested in writing if not recommended by the I&RS committee. The referral must clearly indicate that the parent/guardian or adult student is requesting a Section 504 evaluation. Once received, the parent will be contacted to schedule an Initial Evaluation Meeting.
- A referral does not mean that a student will be eligible for a 504 Accommodation Plan. Furthermore, a medical diagnosis of a physical or mental impairment from a doctor does not automatically mean a student can receive services under Section 504. “The medical diagnosis must cause a substantial limitation on the student's ability to learn or another major life activity meaning the disability significantly impacts their ability to participate in everyday activities at school.” A medical diagnosis is only a part of the consideration for eligibility.
- If experiencing academic difficulties an evaluation should not be recommended until strategies have been implemented in the classroom.
Step 2: The Initial Evaluation Meeting
- Notice of Consideration for a 504 Accommodation Plan Invitation to Meeting Letter, Notice of Procedural Rights and Parent Input Form and a questionnaire will be sent to Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s).
- If an evaluation is warranted, and additional information is needed, the Section 504 Team asks for the consent of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and obtains written consent by completing the Section 504 Consent to Evaluate Form before the team begins the process. Alternatively, if applicable and an evaluation is not warranted, a referral to the I&RS team may be made or additional strategies may be recommended for implementation in the classroom.
- Through the evaluation process, the team reviews all relevant data that may be used to determine whether a student has a disability that meets Section 504 eligibility criteria. The assigned Section 504 team member will send a Section 504 Staff Questionnaire to applicable GCIT staff members.
- This also may include a review of formal assessment(s) such as learning or psychological evaluations if completed but does not require it.
Step 3: The Eligibility Determination Meeting
- An eligibility determination meeting is conducted when the Section 504 Team applies the student data obtained to the Section 504 eligibility criteria to make a final determination as to whether a student is a student with a qualified disability.
- Based on the evaluation data gathered from a variety of sources, the Section 504 Team must answer the following three questions to determine Section 504 identification:
o 1. Does the student have a physical or mental impairment?
o 2. Does the physical or mental impairment substantially limit one or more major life activities?
o 3. Does the student need Section 504 accommodations?
- If all three questions were answered “Yes,” the student is identified as eligible for accommodations under Section 504, and the Section 504 Accommodation Plan should be developed. If any answer is “No,” the student is not identified.
- If found eligible, the Section 504 Team will recommend accommodations and develop the 504 Accommodation Plan on PowerSchool. Parental consent must be obtained to implement the 504 Plan.
PLEASE NOTE:
The standard used to determine whether a physical or mental impairment results in substantial limitation is “average” performance in the general population. Therefore, the standard is not the optimal performance level for a person, but the average performance of individuals found in the general population.
