My Child Has an IEP or 504 Plan
Federal law gives children with disabilities significantly stronger protections. Most parents don’t know the half of it.
You are an equal member of the IEP team
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Louisiana Bulletin 1530, parents are not guests at IEP meetings — they are equal participants on the IEP team. That means:
- The school must schedule meetings at a time that works for you
- They cannot hold a meeting without you, or at a time they know you can’t attend
- You can request an IEP meeting at any time — you don’t have to wait for the annual review
Use the IEP Meeting Request template whenever services aren’t being delivered, your child’s needs have changed, a new diagnosis has come in, or something isn’t working.
IEP vs. 504 Plan
Both provide legal protections, but they come from different laws and offer different things:
- An IEP (Individualized Education Program) comes from IDEA and provides specialized instruction and related services for children who qualify under specific disability categories
- A 504 Plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and provides accommodations for any student with a disability that substantially limits a major life activity, even if they don’t qualify for an IEP
Discipline protections
If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, a suspension may trigger a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) before certain disciplinary actions can proceed. If a school skips this step, that’s a procedural violation. See Discipline & Suspension Rights for more, and use the Procedural Violation Documentation Letter if it happens.
Records and evaluations
You’re entitled to your child’s evaluation results, IEP documents, and related records. See Records & Information Access for the specific timelines schools must follow.
If services aren’t being delivered
If the IEP says your child gets a service and they’re not getting it, that’s not a minor administrative issue — it’s a failure to implement a legally binding document. Request a meeting in writing using the IEP Meeting Request template, and keep a record of what’s missing and when you raised it.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — always verify with a licensed attorney for your specific situation.