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S.S. Education

IEP fundamentals

What an IEP is, who it is for, and how the document fits together.

Read the guides below—then apply what you learn to your child's actual plan.

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IEP fundamentals

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

An IEP and a 504 plan both support students with disabilities—but they come from different laws and do different jobs. An IEP (under IDEA) includes specialized instruction and related services. A 504 plan (under Section 504) focuses on equal access through accommodations. This guide helps you compare eligibility, supports, meetings, and next steps so you can ask clearer questions at school.

12 min read · Updated July 20, 2026

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IEP fundamentals

Who Should Attend an IEP Meeting?

IDEA is specific about who must be in the room for an IEP meeting to be valid — but knowing who is required, who is optional, and who you are allowed to bring for your own support can change how effective the meeting actually is. This guide breaks down each required role and why it exists, when optional members genuinely add value, what to do if someone is missing, and how to decide who you should invite along.

10 min read · Updated July 20, 2026

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IEP fundamentals

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

An IEP and a 504 plan both support students with disabilities—but they come from different laws and do different jobs. An IEP (under IDEA) includes specialized instruction and related services. A 504 plan (under Section 504) focuses on equal access through accommodations. This guide helps you compare eligibility, supports, meetings, and next steps so you can ask clearer questions at school.

12 min read · Updated July 20, 2026

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IEP fundamentals

What Is Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?

Least Restrictive Environment, or LRE, is one of the most misunderstood terms in special education — it does not mean "the least paperwork" or "the cheapest option," and it does not automatically mean full-time general education either. It is a legal requirement that children with disabilities be educated alongside their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, with removal from general education only when necessary. This guide explains what LRE actually requires, how placement decisions are supposed to be made, what the range of options looks like in practice, and how to push back if you think the reasoning does not hold up.

10 min read · Updated July 20, 2026

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