In RTI, which statement about IEPs and 504 plans is accurate?

• A. An IEP provides special education services and goals; a 504 plan provides accommodations to access general education.
• B. A 504 plan includes measurable annual goals.
• C. Both require extensive disability diagnosis.
• D. Only IEPs can include accommodations.

Answer: (A)

In RTI, the difference between these two supports comes down to services and access. An IEP provides specialized instruction and related services along with measurable annual goals to guide progress. A 504 plan, on the other hand, provides accommodations so a student can access the general education curriculum; it doesn’t require the same level of specialized instruction or formal annual goals. So the statement that accurately captures this is that an IEP provides special education services and goals, while a 504 plan provides accommodations to access general education. The other options don’t fit because a 504 plan typically does not include measurable annual goals, not all plans require the same extensive disability diagnosis, and accommodations can appear in both plans.