Section-504 | Montgomery County Public Schools

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires schools to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in services, programs and activities.

Section 504 Coordinator:

Shannon M. Farmer, Coordinator,

School Counseling Services Unit

Division of Specialized Support Services

240-987-8031

About Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is a civil rights statue which provides that:

"No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States.....shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

It contains specific provisions covering preschool, elementary, and secondary education programs.

Section 504 requires schools to provide academic, nonacademic and extracurricular services such as transportation, school counseling, school health services, physical education and athletics, as well as physical access to facilities, in such manner as is necessary to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in Montgomery County Public School's services, programs and activities.

Department of School Counseling: Mission & Vision

Our Mission:

We are committed to building systemic supports that unite schools in developing high-functioning, collaborative teams dedicated to every student’s academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and post-secondary success. We envision schools where every student defines what success means for themselves and is empowered to make a meaningful impact within their local communities and the global society. All schools will cultivate safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments that honor and support the diverse strengths and needs of all students. All schools will foster systems of psychological safety that empower educators and staff to advocate boldly for students, challenge inequities, and dismantle systemic barriers.

Our Vision:

We envision a unified system of schools operating as a high-functioning, inclusive ecosystem, where collaborative teams and psychologically safe environments remove systemic barriers and advance equity. In every school, students and educators are empowered to define success, pursue opportunity, and transform their communities and the world through academic achievement, social-emotional wellness, and post-secondary readiness.