Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .

OCR enforces Section 504 in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from ED. Recipients of this Federal financial assistance include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies. The regulations implementing Section 504 in the context of educational institutions appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 104.

The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.

Section 504 Coordinators re-evaluate student service plans periodically every three years. A review meeting can be held at any time during those three years.

For those students who are having difficulty in the regular classroom, all school districts and open enrollment charter schools must consider tutorial, compensatory, and other academic or behavior support services that are available to all students, including a process based on Response to Intervention (RtI). The implementation of RtI has the potential to have a positive impact on the ability of districts and charter schools to meet the needs of all struggling students.

If a student is experiencing learning difficulties, his or her parent may contact the individual(s) listed below to learn about the school’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including making a referral for a special education evaluation or for a Section 504 evaluation to determine if the student needs specific aids, accommodations, or services. A parent may request an evaluation for special education or Section 504 services at any time.

Section 504 Referrals

Each school district or charter school must have standards and procedures in place for the evaluation and placement of students in the district’s or charter school’s Section 504 program. Districts and charter schools must also implement a system of procedural safeguards that includes notice, an opportunity for a parent or guardian to examine relevant records, an impartial hearing with an opportunity for participation by the parent or guardian and representation by counsel, and a review procedure. 

Contact person for 504 Referrals

The designated person to contact regarding options for a student experiencing learning difficulties or regarding a referral for evaluation for Section 504 services is:

• Stephanie Canales,  Lake Dallas High School - 940.497.4031
• Charlayne Hewitt, Juli Bartley, and Sharee Glendenning, Lake Dallas MS - 940.497.4037
• Dr. Cassandra Woods, LDE, CE, and SSE - 940.497.2209

ACT 

Beginning with the 2021-22 testing year, students who already receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will automatically be eligible to receive the allowable testing accommodations when they register for the ACT with accommodations. 

ACT ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION

ACT CONSENT FOR ACCOMMODATIONS FORM

 

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College Board 

Requests for accommodations can be made by contacting the school and signing the parent consent form or submitting a paper request directly to the College Board.

SAT ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION

SAT CONSENT FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Post Secondary Education  

 High Education Resource Guide For Students with Disabilities

TWS-VRS helps those with disabilities connect to several workforce services (career development, increased opportunities for education, training, etc.). Students in grades 9-12 can complete the self referral linked below. Eligible students will be assigned a counselor from Texas Workforce Solutions. Once assigned a counselor, they will help you connect to the services you need.  

Click here to complete the VR Self Referral Form