Resources for Parents

Differences Between K-12 Education and College

K-12 IDEA ‘97	K-12 504 Plan	College 504 and ADA
Success more of a right	No guarantee	No guarantee. Students responsible for own success
District identifies disability	Parent provides documentation of disability	Student provides documentation of disability and need for accommodation
Free evaluation of disability	Parent responsibility	Student’s responsibility
District develops Individual Education Plan (IEP)	Parent/school develops plan	Student identifies accommodation needs
Entitled to services identified on IEP	Services identified by plan	College services not automatic; each college decides eligibility and services
District ensures that the IEP is implemented	District/parent/student responsible	Student responsible for own progress
Teacher advocate	Parent/student advocate	Student advocates for self
Fundamental alterations to program of study permitted as identified on IEP	Fundamental alterations to program of study permitted as identified on 504 plan	None allowed: Accommodation may not alter fundamental nature of course or impose an undue burden on an institution
Personal services: e.g., transportation, personal attendant, nurse	None provided	None provided

*The term K-12 refers to the years in school from kindergarten through the end of high school.