Understanding the Differences between IDEA and Section 504

Teachers should ask themselves questions like these to determine how to help students who are having difficulty in their classrooms. All teachers must understand the provisions of two major laws—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973—and what similarities and differences exist (Cohen, 1997; Roberts & Mather, 1995; see box, “Background on IDEA and Section 504”). Both general and special education teachers need to know the most appropriate law applicable for students having difficulty in their classrooms. (See Figure 1 for flowchart of questions; and see Figure 2 for a helpful self-quiz.) This article provides information on these two laws and answers many questions that teachers have.