IDEA
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that helps make sure children with disabilities can get a free and appropriate education. It also provides special education and other important services for these children.
IDEA explains how states and public programs should give early help, special education, and services to over 8 million infants, toddlers, children, and young people with disabilities (as of the 2022-2023 school year).
For infants and toddlers (birth to age 2): They and their families can get early intervention services under IDEA Part C.
For children and youth (ages 3 to 21): They can receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
IDEA also provides funding for important work like:
Helping states offer special education and early intervention services.
Supporting research, creating helpful tools, and training teachers and families.
In 2004, Congress updated IDEA and made some changes in 2015 with the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Congress explains in IDEA that:
Disabilities are a natural part of life and don’t limit a person’s right to be part of and contribute to society.
Helping children with disabilities succeed in school is very important. It supports their right to equality, full participation, independent living, and having a good life.
The stated purpose of the IDEA is:
to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living;
to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected;
to assist States, localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities;
to assist States in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;
to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology development and media services;
to assess, and ensure the effectiveness of, efforts to educate children with disabilities.