Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Section 504?

The correct response is that a student under Section 504 can have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and this is a key characteristic that clarifies the relationship between Section 504 and special education services. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to ensure they have equal access to education. It provides accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Under Section 504, a student who qualifies may have an IEP if they also meet the criteria for special education services according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This means that while not all students with 504 plans will require an IEP, those who do can benefit from the more specialized instructional strategies and services offered under an IEP.

Having consideration of the other options aids in distinguishing the specifics of Section 504. The administration of Section 504 is not overseen by the Department of Civil Rights; rather, it is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education, which is designed to protect the rights of students. The idea that it “lasts a lifetime” is misleading; Section 504 protections exist as long as a person qualifies under its definition of disability,