What is IDEA?
What is IDEA - and what does it mean for my child?
Do you know that as recently as the 1970's students with disabilities were being denied access to a public education? It is believed that only one in five students with disabilities were being educated in US public schools at the time. In 1975 lawmakers passed Education for All Handicapped Individuals Act into law. Over the years this law has been renewed and amended to better meet the needs of our nation's children. The law, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA, has six basic principles at it's core.
FAPE
IDEA provides that all students with a disability at entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education. This education must . . .
be funded by public expense.
be individualized based on the unique needs of the student.
be provided from preschool through high school - ages 3-21.
Appropriate Evaluation
The student must receive a thorough evaluation in order to. . .
determine if the child meets eligibility requirements for a child with a disability.
determine the educational needs of the student.
IEP
The educational team must develop an Individualized Educational Plan. This plan must. . .
be renewed at least annually
contain measurable goals
outline services to help the child meet thier goals.
be desinged to help the child make meaningful progress
LRE
The disabled child must be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment This means that . . .
the child with a disability should be placed with non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible
funding cannot be considered when determining placement.
any placement outside the general education classroom must be justified by the child's individual needs.
Parent Participation
Parents, and when appropriate students, should be included in. . .
the development of the IEP.
determining which areas of need should be evaluated.
decisions on educational placement.
reviewing evaluation data.
discussion and planning for transitions.
Procedural Safeguards
Procedural safeguards must be provided to parents to ensure they can effectively participate in the special education process. This includes. . .
prior written notice for all meetings and before any program changes are made.
access to student records.
outlined process for what to do if a parent disagrees with the school district.