Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Section 504 guarantees certain rights to individuals with disabilities, including the right to full participation and access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.

Your child’s 504 Plan should be reviewed at least one time per year, however you or any 504 Team member can amend or review this plan at any point as needed. In Social Circle City Schools, we believe that it is best practice to review eligibility for a 504 Plan every three years or as needed/requested.

To qualify under Section 504 a student must:

• Be determined to have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including learning and behavior
• Have a record of having such an impairment OR
• Be regarded as having such impairment

If you believe that your child may be eligible for a 504 plan, you can contact the 504 Coordinator at your child’s school. This person will begin the evaluation process (with your consent), which will include parent and student input, teacher rating scales, a review of your child’s educational and behavioral history, and any academic, cognitive, or behavioral testing that is available.

Once this process is complete, you will be invited to a 504 Team Meeting to review this information and decide if your child’s disability is substantially limiting his/her major life activities.

If the team agrees on eligibility for a 504 Plan, this can be discussed and agreed upon at this meeting.

504 Coordinators

SCES: Dr. Megan Chaffin megan.chaffin@socialcircleschools.org

SCMS: Dr. Patty Jo McCain patty.mccain@socialcircleschools.org

SCHS: Mrs. Heather Parkerson heather.parkerson@socialcircleschools.org

District 504 Coordinator: Mrs. Allison Clarke allison.clarke@socialcircleschools.org

The following is a description of the rights granted by federal law to students that are eligible for a 504 Plan.

Notes of Rights of Students and Parents Under Section 504

The Section 504 Procedural Safeguards outline the rights of students and families under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including identification, evaluation, and placement processes, as well as procedures for impartial hearings.

Section 504 Procedural Safeguards