The Special Ed Process

Here's the IDEA:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law in the United States that governs the education of children with disabilities. The main principles of the IDEA include:

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Schools must provide a free and appropriate public education to all students with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability.

Individualized Education Program (IEP): Schools must develop an individualized education program for each student with a disability, which outlines the student's specific needs, goals, and services that will be provided to meet those needs.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Students with disabilities must be educated in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate for their needs. This means that schools must provide education in the general education classroom whenever possible, and provide specialized instruction and services when necessary.

Appropriate Evaluation: Schools must conduct appropriate evaluations to determine if a child has a disability and to identify the nature and extent of the disability, as well as the child's educational needs.

Parent and Student Participation: Parents and students with disabilities have the right to participate in the development of their child's education program, and to have access to all educational records related to their child.

Procedural Safeguards: The IDEA provides procedural safeguards to ensure that parents and students with disabilities are protected and have a voice in the education process. This includes the right to due process if there is a disagreement between parents and the school regarding the child's education.

• Child Find

• Early Intervention: Birth-36 months

• School-age students