Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that entitles students with eligible disabilities to receive a free appropriate public education, ensuring appropriate services are provided for those children. 

IDEA was first enacted in 1975 under the name Education for All Handicapped Children Act under President Gerald Ford. This initially just supported states to protect the rights of students with disabilities in schools. The name of the law was changed to IDEA in the 1990 reauthorization under President George H.W. Bush. The last reauthorization was in 2004 under President George W. Bush and has had periodical updates to help clarify how to implement IDEA. Today, IDEA has opened the doors of public schools to any student regardless of their disabilities.

Features of  Special Education

There are two main features of special education: individualized education plan and 504 accommodations.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

An individualized education plan (IEP) is a legal document which describes a specific child's current special education needs, current performance, and current annual goals.

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504 Plan (504)

A 504 Plan comes from Section 504 of the IDEA that provides legal documentation that strives for all students to be treated fairly. It is essentially accommodations for students who are in a general education classroom and does not have an IEP.

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Special Education Classrooms

Integrated Co-Taught

An integrated co-taught classroom is a classroom where there are students who qualify for special education and students who are in general education. As well as a general education and special education teacher in the same classroom.

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Self Contained

A student is placed in a self contained classroom, where there are only other students who qualify for special education. 

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