ABBA Florida Parent IEP and 504 Resource Guide
Understanding IEPs vs. 504 Plans
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
- Governed by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
- For students who need specialized instruction and related services due to a disability impacting their education.
- Includes goals, services (e.g., independent functioning, behavior, language, speech, OT, and more), progress tracking, accommodations, and classroom supports.
504 Plan (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act)
- A civil rights plan that ensures students with disabilities get equal access to education.
- Includes accommodations (e.g., extra time, seating changes).
- It does not include specialized instruction or services.
Key difference: IEPs are for specialized instruction + accommodations; 504 Plans are for accommodations only.
Requesting an IEP
- Request an IEP evaluation in writing to the ESE Coordinator.
- The school must set up an IEP team meeting within a set timeline to discuss whether to evaluate under IDEA, which includes parents, teachers, ESE specialist, any necessary related service providers (e.g., speech, OT), and anyone parents want to include.
- If eligible to have an evaluation opened, the school will then collect the necessary data within the set timeline.
- The school will set up an IEP meeting with you and the team to review the data and determine if your child is eligible for an IEP. If eligible, the team including you will then meet to develop goals, services, and supports that are written into the IEP document. This may be done the same day or in two separate meetings.
Note: IEP eligibility requires that the child meets criteria under one of IDEA’s categories and that the disability affects their educational performance requiring services.
Requesting a 504 Plan
- Talk to your child’s teacher or ESE Specialist about concerns with learning.
- Ask for the name and contact info of your school’s 504 Coordinator (often guidance counselor or psychologist).
- Send a written request to evaluate for a 504 Plan. You can include documentation of recent diagnosis.
- The school (504 team) will evaluate eligibility and schedule a meeting.
- The school will collect the necessary data.
- You and the team will develop a written 504 Plan with accommodations that help your child access school.
Tip: You can also ask for a draft 504 Plan worksheet ahead of time to prepare what accommodations you believe are needed.
Tips for Parents Advocating for IEP/504 Plans
✅ Document concerns (teacher notes, homework issues, test scores).
✅ Put requests in writing and keep copies.
✅ Attend meetings prepared with questions & input about what your child needs.
✅ Ask for a copy of your rights (e.g., Notice of Parent and Student Rights under Section 504).
✅ Include professionals (psychologists, therapists) if you have evaluations supporting eligibility.
✅ Include professionals (ABA providers, therapists) in the meetings.
✅ If you need additional support, you can request an advocate from the school district at no charge.
504 State & Parent Guides (Helpful Downloads)
- “A Parent and Teacher Guide to Section 504” (Florida DOE) — Explains rights, eligibility, evaluation process, and what accommodations can look like. 0070055-504bro.pdf
- “District Implementation Guide for Section 504” (Florida DOE) — Official procedures for Florida school districts. 0070057-sect504.pdf
Additional County IEP/504 Resources and Contact Information
Hillsborough County –
- District 504 Coordinator (Hillsborough)
- Marsha Alcorn — 504 Coordinator
School Psychologist, Hillsborough County Public Schools
(813) 855-8178 ext 231
Marsha.Alcorn@sdhc.k12.fl.us - FDLRS Child Find – Free developmental screenings and support if you suspect your child may qualify for services, especially for young children (ages ~3–5).
- You can contact Child Find or your school district’s ESE office to start conversations about evaluations and eligibility under IDEA or Section 504.
- HCPS Instructional Service Center
Call: (813) 384-0700
This center can help direct you to the appropriate ESE Coordinator or Specialist for IEP questions.
Pasco County-
- Pasco County Schools provides information about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and how they support students with disabilities. Pasco County Schools
- There’s a Section 504 Guideline Book that explains eligibility, evaluation, accommodations, and how the school problem-solving team works. 504_section_504_guideline_book.pdf
- If you need support specifically for online learning with accommodations (IEP/504), Pasco eSchool outlines how accommodations are implemented and how current plans are used in virtual courses. Accommodations for Educational Plans | Pasco eSchool - Personalize Your Learning Experience!
- Pasco School Parent Guide (PDF) — This district guide helps parents understand special education services and their rights (evaluation, eligibility, meetings). pasco_parent_guidae_ese_rev_05.14.20.pdf
- District Office for Support & IEP Questions
Pasco County School District Office
(352) 524-2000
Pinellas County-
- Pinellas County Schools has a dedicated ESE department that manages special education services for eligible students ages 3–21, including evaluations and IEP development. Exceptional Student Education
- For transition planning and disability resource connections, Project 10: Transition Education Network – Pinellas can help connect families with transition support services as students age and prepare for post-school life. Pinellas
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Pinellas Leadership Contacts:
- Lynne Mowatt, M.Ed. — Executive Director, ESE
mowatte@pcsb.org
(727) 588-6041 - Katia Roussos — ESE High School Curriculum Specialist
roussosk@pcsb.org
(727) 588-6000 - Andrea Schannen — ESE Middle School Curriculum Specialist
schannenledsingea@pcsb.org
(727) 588-6000 - Tracy McMannus-Evans — Parent Advocate (Pinellas)
mcmannus-evanst@pcsb.org
(727) 588-6000 - Pinellas ESE Department (General)
(727) 588-6032 — for parent support, ESE concerns, and access to resources.