IEP's vs 504's

 Both IEPs and 504 plans are made to provide accommodations for students in an academic setting. However, the similarities stop there. An IEP is a specific framework and legally binding paper that dictates the academic goals and both physical and academic accommodations for a student. The student also must have at least one or more disabilities listed in IDEA.
A 504 is made to accommodate a student's physical or cognitive ability in a general classroom setting or school related activity. This document is non-binding and are mostly recommendations to be followed by the teacher to assist in making a student's achievement in school less cumbersome.

A History of Special Education in the United States

As seen above in the timeline, the U.S. Education system has made leaps and bounds in the acceptance and assistance of students in need of both physical and education accommodations. However, as in many things, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done to improve the current system. Skiba, et al. states points out that there are many flaws in the system (2008). The statement is made that often times, students are diagnosed as needing special education when there are other factors in play such as socio-economic status and cultural upbringings. There are also problems in the school themselves, some needing the most amount of funding having more students in need of special education. According to Skiba, et al., this drives the modern inequalities even further.

References

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA). (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2016, from http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/idea.htm

Martin, E., Martin, R., & Terman, D. (1996). The Legislative and Litigation History of Special Education. The Future of Children, 6(1), 25-39. doi:1. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1602492 doi:1

Mead, J. F. (n.d.). Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia. Retrieved July 17, 2016, from http://usedulaw.com/438-mills-v-board-of-education-of-the-district-of-columbia.html

Skiba, Russell J.; Simmons, Ada B.; Ritter, Shana; Gibb, Ashley C.; Rausch, M. Karega; Cuadrado, Jason; Choong-Geun Chung. (Spring 2008).  Achieving Equity in Special Education:  History, Status, and Current Challenges.  Exceptional Children (Vol. 74  Issue 3, p264-288. 25p.)

Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2016, from http://www.pilcop.org/pennsylvania-association-for-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/