504 plan homework accommodations: examples to ask for

If homework is a nightly struggle because of ADHD, dyslexia or another learning difference, a 504 plan can change how homework works. Here's what it is and what families ask for.

By Billy Miecuna, co-founder of Homework Turtle · Updated October 11, 2026

What a 504 plan is

A 504 plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law. It protects students who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits a major life activity, such as reading, learning or concentrating. It applies to public schools, and to private schools and colleges that receive federal funding.

A 504 plan provides supports and changes to the learning environment. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is different: it comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides individualized special education services. Our guide to IEP homework accommodations covers that side.

ADHD and 504 plans

In 2016 the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued guidance on students with ADHD. It says schools must evaluate a student who needs, or is believed to need, services. It also says a school can't assume a student isn't limited just because they get good grades.

Homework accommodations families ask for

Every plan is decided by the school team for your child, so treat these as a starting point for the conversation:

• Fewer problems, graded on what's done. For example, a set number of problems per assignment.
• More time for assignments, such as an extra day to turn in missing work.
• Help staying organized, like a check that assignments are written down, or homework posted online.
• Photographing assignments from the board so nothing gets missed.
• Logging due dates right away in a calendar or homework app.
• Typing instead of handwriting written work.
• Turning work in digitally, by email or a shared folder.
• Breaks or time to move around during longer work.
• Assistive technology, such as a keyboard, calculator or graphic organizer.
• Long projects split into steps with their own due dates.

How to ask

1. Write to the school. Ask your child's school (often the principal, counselor or 504 coordinator) for a 504 evaluation, and keep a copy of what you sent.
2. Describe what you see at home. How long homework takes, where it breaks down (starting, keeping track, finishing), and what you've already tried.
3. Bring a short list of accommodations you think would help. The ones above are a good place to start.
4. Know you can disagree. Parents have the right to appeal decisions about evaluation and placement. Complaints about disability discrimination can be filed with the Office for Civil Rights.

Where Homework Turtle fits

Homework Turtle keeps every assignment and due date in one list and calendar, so logging homework right away takes a few seconds. Parents can see what's due and what's done, which helps when you're describing homework at a 504 meeting. AbilityBridge, inside the app, has resources on IEPs, 504 plans and learning accommodations. It's free to start.