Section 504
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS)
Section 504 Policy and Procedures
1. Purpose and Policy Statement
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS) is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no qualified student with a disability shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity offered by TEECS.
TEECS will provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability, ensuring that the student’s needs are met as adequately as those of non-disabled peers through the implementation of reasonable accommodations and related aids or services.
The Director of Pupil Services serves as TEECS’s Section 504 Coordinator, responsible for compliance, training, oversight, and grievance resolution.
2. Definition of Disability
Under Section 504, a student is considered to have a disability if they:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., learning, concentrating, reading, thinking, communicating, walking, breathing, etc.);
- Have a record of such an impairment; or
- Are regarded as having such an impairment.
Major life activities also include major bodily functions (e.g., neurological, respiratory, digestive, or endocrine functions).
3. Referral and Evaluation Procedures
A 504 referral may be initiated by a parent/guardian, teacher, counselor, school nurse, administrator, or other knowledgeable person when a student is suspected of having a disability that may substantially limit one or more major life activities.
Step 1 – Referral:
Written referrals should be submitted to the 504 Coordinator using the TEECS Section 504 Referral Form.
Step 2 – Parent Notification:
Parents/guardians will be notified in writing of the referral and their procedural rights under Section 504.
Step 3 – Evaluation:
An evaluation is conducted to determine whether the student has a qualifying disability and requires accommodations. Evaluations may include:
- Review of school records and academic performance
- Teacher input and classroom observations
- Health and medical documentation
- Standardized testing or functional assessments (if available)
Evaluations are conducted by a 504 Team composed of individuals knowledgeable about the student, the meaning of the evaluation data, and the placement options.
Step 4 – Eligibility Meeting:
The 504 Team reviews all relevant information and determines eligibility. If the student qualifies, a Section 504 Accommodation Plan will be developed collaboratively with input from the parent/guardian.
4. Section 504 Plan Development
The 504 Plan outlines the accommodations, supports, and/or services necessary to ensure equal access to education.
Plans may include, but are not limited to:
- Classroom accommodations (e.g., extended time, preferential seating)
- Testing accommodations
- Behavioral or organizational supports
- Health-related adjustments
Plans are distributed to all staff responsible for implementation and are maintained in the student’s confidential record.
5. Reevaluation and Review
Reevaluation must occur:
- At least once per school year, or
- Whenever there is a significant change in placement, performance, or student needs.
Parents and staff may request a review at any time if a change in accommodations is warranted.
6. ADHD and Medical Diagnoses
TEECS recognizes ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder that may substantially limit major life activities such as concentrating, learning, or organizing tasks.
To ensure accurate diagnosis and effective planning:
- Diagnostic documentation must come from a qualified clinician, such as a neurologist, neurodevelopmental specialist, or psychologist.
- Documentation must include evaluation date, tests administered, findings, and recommendations.
- A simple note or medication prescription is insufficient for eligibility determination.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure accurate identification and appropriate educational support, consistent with OCR and NJDOE guidance.
7. Procedural Safeguards
Parents/guardians are entitled to procedural safeguards under Section 504, including:
- Notice of all decisions regarding identification, evaluation, and placement;
- Opportunity to examine all relevant educational records;
- Opportunity to request an impartial due process hearing if disagreements arise; and
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
A summary of these rights can be found in the NJDOE Section 504 Parent Rights Handbook (PRISE):
https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/parents/ParentalRightsinSpecialEducation2023.pdf
TEECS maintains a grievance procedure for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints regarding discrimination or violation of Section 504 rights. Complaints may be submitted to:
Mrs. Rajasri Govindaraju
Section 504 Supervisor / Supervisor of Pupil Services
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS)
150 Pierce Street
Somerset, NJ 08873
9. Additional Resources