IDEA Policy Resources
NEW! CEC Briefs Compare the 2004 IDEA Regulations to the 1997 IDEA Regulations and Include CEC Comments and Analysis.
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Individuals
with DisabilitiesEducation Act
http://www.cec.sped.org/law_res/doc/law/index.php
The Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) (formerly called P.L. 94-142 or the Education for all Handicapped
Children Act of 1975) requires public schools to make available to all
eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education
in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs.
IDEA requires public school systems to
develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for each
child. The specific special education and related services outlined in
each IEP reflect the individualized needs of each student.
IDEA also mandates that particular procedures
be followed in the development of the IEP. Each student's IEP must be
developed by a team of knowledgeable persons and must be at least reviewed
annually. The team includes the child's teacher; the parents, subject
to certain limited exceptions; the child, if determined appropriate; an
agency representative who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision
of special education; and other individuals at the parents' or agency's
discretion.
If parents disagree with the proposed IEP,
they can request a due process hearing and a review from the State educational
agency if applicable in that state. They also can appeal the State agency's
decision to State or Federal court. For more information, contact:
Office of Special Education
Programs
U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, S.W. (Room 3086)
Washington, D.C. 20202 |
