The biggest difference between a Section 504 plan and an IEP?
The IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
defines a person with a disability differently than it does under Section 504.
Specially designed instruction (SDI) is defined by IDEA as “adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the child that result from the child’s disability and to ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that the child can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the public agency that apply to all children.” 34 CFR §300.39(b)(3).
SDI....
Details adaptations in instructional methods, materials, and assessments in order to access rich grade-level content aligned to College and Career Ready Standards.
Describes adjustments to teaching techniques, instructional / assistive technology tools, and physical setting. (This includes the customization of intensity, duration, and frequency of interventions and instruction.)
The Purpose of the IDEA
-to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living;
-to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected;
-to assist States, localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities;
-to assist States in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;
-to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology development and media services;
-to assess, and ensure the effectiveness of, efforts to educate children with disabilities.