Section 504 Services
Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that focuses on the non-discrimination of students with disabilities. The law says that a public school, or any other federally funded public facility, cannot discriminate against a student because of a disability and must be given the same opportunities to participate in academic and extracurricular activities.
Under Section 504, students with disabilities may receive accommodation and services to ensure that their individual educational needs are met as adequately as those of non-disabled students.
Our Purpose
| ACCEPT | referrals from individuals who suspect a student has a disability. |
| GUIDE | individuals who suspect a student has a disability through the process to determine a student's eligibility and needed services. |
| EDUCATE | teachers, campuses, parents, and the community on Section 504 laws and procedures. |
| ASSIST | campuses in following laws that mandate the referred, eligibility, and provided services for students identified under Section 504. |
| CREATE | individual accommodation plans to ensure student success in all academic and extracurricular areas. |
Definition
Section 504 defines a person with a disability as any person who:
- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities without considering the effects of mitigating factors,
- has a record of such impairment; or
- is regarded as having such impairment.
Process
Section 504 referrals are initiated through the campus 504 Specialist on each campus which can be found below. Please contact your campus 504 Specialist with any questions you may have regarding evaluation, accommodations or other support.
| CAMPUS | 504 SPECIALIST | CONTACT INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Laurence Dunbar Early Education Center | Ashley Sims | 903-794-3786 |
| Parks Elementary School | Ashley Sims | 903.798.6886 |
| Theron Jones Early Literacy Center | Ashley Sims | 903-793-4871 |
| Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics & Engineering Elementary School |
Amanda Magness | 903-791-2262 |
| Nash Elementary School | Mary Hollensworth | 903-838-4321 |
| Waggoner Creek Elementary School | Amanda Magness | 903-255-3301 |
| Wake Village Elementary School | Ashley Sims | 903.838.4261 |
| Westlawn Elementary School | Mary Hollensworth | 903.223.4252 |
| Texas Middle School – 6th Grade Center | Mary Hollensworth Melinda Hornbeck |
903-793-5631 |
| Texas Middle School – 7th and 8th Grades | 903-793-5631 | |
| Texas High School – 9th and 10th Grades | Susan Burris | 903-794-3891 |
| Texas High School – 11th & 12th Grades | Sandra McNeely | 903-794-3891 |
| OPTIONS Early Graduation High School | Deborah Mayfield | 903.793.5632 |
Mindy Gennings
Director of Special Populations
3413 Summerhill Road
Texarkana, Texas 75503
Phone: 903.793.7561 ext. 1307
Fax: 903.255.3280
§504 CHILD FIND NOTICE
Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the District has a duty to identify, refer, evaluate and if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to disabled students. For additional information about the rights of parents of eligible children, or for answers to any questions you might have about identification, evaluation and placement into Section 504 programs, please contact the District’s Section 504 Coordinator, Sherry Nelson, at 903.793.7561 ext. 1305 or sherry.nelson@txkisd.net.