New to IEPs? Start Here

Welcome to A Day in Our Shoes

Getting Started with an IEP or 504

How does a child get an IEP or 504 Plan?

Someone, usually a parent or teacher, has referred the child to be evaluated for an IEP or 504 Plan.

That is the first step of the IEP process and 504 plan process-evaluations. The evaluation process is different between a 504 vs an IEP.

Flowchart titled "special education referral process" detailing steps from concern identification to eligibility determination, guiding the development of an iep or additional interventions/supports.
  • Save

Here are some tips on getting started. Once you are first this step of the IEP process, you move on to eligibility and drawing up an IEP or 504 plan.

Once your child has been through the evaluation process, see the flow chart below. And, check back because I am adding the next steps in the IEP process to this page so you can learn what to do next.

Iep timeline flowchart
  • Save

Level Up your IEP Skills–Use my Proven Tools!

All of our products are created by advocates and teachers, for advocates and teachers–based on feedback and suggestions from YOU!

Answering Your IEP and 504 Questions

Hundreds of posts. Thousands of IEP Goals and IEP accommodations. Tons of advice and tips after attending 100s of IEP meetings.