Special Education, IEPs & Student Rights
Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment where their individual strengths and needs are recognized and supported. When a child is struggling in school, families may find themselves suddenly navigating evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, accommodations, meetings, services, and terminology they've never encountered before.
At Montco 4 All, we believe families should have clear, accessible information about their child's education and their rights within the school system. This page brings together Montgomery County and Pennsylvania resources for evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, accommodations, special education services, transition planning, educational advocacy, and understanding student and family rights.
What Is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written educational program created for an eligible student with a disability who needs specially designed instruction.
An IEP is individualized to the student and may include:
The student's current academic and functional needs
Individualized educational goals
Specially designed instruction
Accommodations and modifications
Speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other related services
Behavioral supports
Assistive technology
How progress will be measured
Where and how services will be provided
Transition planning when applicable
Parents and caregivers are members of the IEP team.
What Is a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan provides accommodations, services, or other supports for eligible students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
A student does not have to qualify for an IEP to potentially qualify for a 504 Plan.
Depending on a student's individual needs, accommodations might include things such as:
Extended time
Testing accommodations
Breaks during the school day
Accessible classroom materials
Changes to the classroom environment
Assistive technology
Health-related accommodations
Support related to a medical condition
Behavioral or emotional supports
Physical accessibility accommodations
Accommodations should be based on the individual student's needs, not simply a diagnosis.
IEP or 504 Plan: What's the Difference?
An IEP is provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The student must meet eligibility requirements and need specially designed instruction because of their disability. An IEP includes individualized educational goals, services, and supports.
A 504 Plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal civil-rights law protecting people with disabilities from discrimination. A student may qualify for Section 504 protections even if they do not need special education or qualify for an IEP. A 504 Plan can provide accommodations and other supports needed for equal access to education.
The Pennsylvania Office for Dispute Resolution has a free Family Resource Library covering eligibility, evaluations and reevaluations, IEPs, timelines, procedural safeguards, mediation, complaints, due process and more.
Special Education Services in Montgomery County
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
Special Education • Related Services • Assistive Technology • Transition Support
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU/IU 23) is the county's regional public educational service agency and works with Montgomery County schools to provide specialized programs and services for students. Depending on a student's individual needs and school placement, MCIU services and programs can include specialized educational programming and related student supports. Access to many school-age MCIU services is coordinated through the student's school district.
Pennsylvania Special Education ConsultLine
IEPs • Evaluations • 504 Plans • Parent Rights • Disagreements
The Pennsylvania Special Education ConsultLine is a free statewide resource for families and advocates of children with disabilities or children who may have disabilities. ConsultLine also provides assistance to non-English-speaking callers through confidential third-party interpreters. This is a great resource for families who have questions about their child's IEP, evaluation, 504 Plan, services, rights, or a disagreement with their school and aren't sure what to do next.
Phone:1-800-879-2301
This service is free.
Right to Education Local Task Force 23 — Montgomery County
Family Education • Special Education • Advocacy • Community Input
Montgomery County's Right to Education Local Task Force brings together parents of students with disabilities, educators, advocates, service providers, and community members.
The Task Force provides opportunities for families to:
Learn about special education
Connect with other families
Learn about IEPs, evaluations, and special education processes
Hear presentations about disability and education
Share concerns about special education
Learn about local resources
Provide input about systemic issues affecting students with disabilities
Parents of students receiving special education are central to the Local Task Force; MCIU materials state that at least 51% of its membership is parent-consumer representation.
Phone: 610-755-9350
Email:localtaskforce@mciu.org
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit — Transition Services
MCIU provides transition-related programs and services to support students with disabilities preparing for life after school. Depending on the program and student's needs, opportunities can involve employment experiences, independent living skills, community-based instruction, career development, and other transition supports. Access to MCIU school-age transition programming is generally coordinated through the student's school district.
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Career Exploration • Employment • Workplace Readiness • Transition
Pennsylvania's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for eligible students with disabilities. These services are intended to help young people begin exploring employment and prepare for the transition from school into adulthood.
Pennsylvania Office for Dispute Resolution
IEP Facilitation • Mediation • Due Process • Special Education Disputes
The Office for Dispute Resolution manages Pennsylvania's special education mediation and due-process systems and provides additional options for resolving disagreements between families and schools.
IEPs • Family Support • Disability • Transition • Advocacy Education
The PEAL Center is Pennsylvania's Parent Training and Information Center and provides information, training, and resources to families of children and young people with disabilities. Families can receive support understanding special education, healthcare, transition, and disability-related systems.
Education Law Center — Pennsylvania
Student Rights • IEPs • 504 Plans • Evaluations • Educational Equity
The Education Law Center provides free educational resources explaining the rights of Pennsylvania students. Several resources and sample advocacy tools are also available in languages including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Nepali.