Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

What is Section 504
Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. This area allows students to receive additional support that may not qualify for Special Education. 

All Texas LEAs are required to post a direct link to the specific TEA webpage on their website. The link contains the information in the document related to SB 139 mentioned in OSEP Requirement 2. This is intended to provide Texas families with information regarding the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 
Fact Sheet English
Articulo 504 Spanish

Calvin Nelms Charter School Responsibilities under Section 504
LEA Responsibilities
Students protected under Section 504
Section 504 protects students with disabilities under this umbrella who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance. In order to gain protection from Section 504, a student must be identified as: "(1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment" (TEA, 10/01/2021). Section 504 requires Calvin Nelms to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE). A student qualifies under this area who have a physical or mental impairment that drastically limits one or more major life activities.

Eligibility 
Eligibility for 504

Evaluation
An evaluation in any secondary school will determine whether a child is qualified as a disabled student. The evaluation process is the first step. Section 504 requires the evaluation process to ensure that children are correctly classified to be placed. The evaluation may include the following: Past STAAR assessments, Teacher Evaluations, and Observations, Classwork, Current and past report cards, Parent Concerns, Attendance, Vision and Health Screening, Benchmark, and/or Formal Assessment.

Placement

After the evaluation is complete and the student is identified as being eligible for regular or section 504 services, a decision must be made regarding the type of Section 504 services the student requires. The students 504 Committee will make these decisions, at the Initial 504 Meeting.

Procedural Safeguards
As a Public secondary school, we employ procedural safeguards in regards to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of students who, need or are believed to need specialized instruction or other services.

Student Handbook English
Contact Person for Section 504 Referrals:

The designated person to contact regarding options for a student experiencing learning difficulties or regarding a referral for evaluation for Section 504 services is:

                          Contact Person: Heather Smith        Phone Number: 281-398-8031 x114


Student Handbook Spanish
Persona de contacto para las remisiones de la Sección 504:
La persona designada para contactar en relación con las opciones para un estudiante que experimente dificultades de aprendizaje o en relación con una remisión a evaluación para recibir servicios de la Sección 504 es:

                      Persona de contacto: Heather Smith     Número de teléfono: 281-398-8031 x114

Información adicional:
Los siguientes sitios web ofrecen información y recursos para los estudiantes con discapacidades y sus familias.

 Additional Information: 
The following websites provide information and resources for students with disabilities and their families.

Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process Visit the link: https://fw.esc18.net/display/Webforms/ESC18-FW-LandingPage.aspx?DT=G&LID=en 

Partners Resource Network 
Visit the link: 
link http://prntexas.org/ 

Special Education Information Center 
Visit the link: 
https://www.spedtex.org/families

Texas Project First 
Visit the link: 
https://texasprojectfirst.org/

How to file a complaint
Visit the link: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html