About 504 Plan

This document provides an overview of 504 Plan. If you do not need an overview, skip this page and proceed with initiating a 504 Plan.

What is a 504 Plan?

A 504 Plan is the plan the Student Team develops to address needs of a student eligible for services under Section 504 and Chapter 61.  

What is Section 504 / Chapter 61?

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that protects persons with Disabilities from discrimination. Section 504 is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education. Chapter 61 is the Hawaii Administrative Rule that ensures the applicability of §504 in the public schools.

The following DOE Web site links provide more background about the law:

• Equal Educational Opportunity for Students Who Are Disabled

• Rights of Parents and Students Under Section 504, Subpart D, and Hawaii Law and Regulations

Draft vs. Active 504 Plan

As you create new 504 Plans, these status labels will be assigned by eCSSS:

• Draft – A saved 504 Plan that has not been activated. Only the latest draft can be edited.

• Active  – The latest 504 Plan that was Activated (i.e., Activate is checked on the Actions tab of the 504 Plan).

Types of 504 Plans

• 504 Plan - The first 504 Plan developed after the student is found 504-eligible.

• 504 Plan Review – A new 504 Plan for the same referral. The review is conducted periodically, as conditions warrant, but at least once a year. The revisions address the needs stated in the initial 504 Plan.

• 504 Plan Reevaluation – A new 504 Plan for a different referral. Re-evaluation is conducted periodically, as conditions warrant, if the parent or teacher requests it, or at least every three years. As such, the 504 Plan is new and is not pre-populated with information gathered from previous 504 Plans.

Brief Overview of the 504 Plan Process

Prior to developing a 504 Plan, the Student Team must take the referral through steps outlined in the Student Support Process (SSP). In particular, the team must complete the student's Current Performance, which becomes the basis for the support services provisioned in the 504 Plan. Once the referral is in the Develop Plan stage, the 504 Plan may follow the process described below.

504 Plan

1. Student Team creates a new 504 Plan.

2. This initial 504 Plan is given to the parent along with a Prior Written Notice (PWN).

3. 504 Plan is now Active.

504 Plan Review

1. The Student Team reviews the effectiveness of Accomodations and Related Services outlined in the 504 Plan.

2. If revised Accommodations and Related Services are required, the team drafts a Review 504 Plan, which is based on the initial 504 Plan.

3. The Review 504 Plan is given to the parent along with a Prior Written Notice (PWN).

4. The Review 504 Plan is now activated when Activate 504 Plan (PWNs provided to parent) is completed.

504 Plan Reevaluation

1. The Student Team conducts a reevaluation periodically, as conditions warrant; if the parent or teacher requests it, or at least every three years. The Student Team then initiates a Reevaluation 504 Plan.

2. The Reevaluation 504 Plan is given to the parent along with a Prior Written Notice (PWN).

3. The Reevaluation 504 Plan is activated when Activate 504 Plan (PWNs provided to parent) is completed.