IDEA

Definition

IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education that meets their unique needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IDEA requires public schools to provide special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities, from birth through high school.
2. IDEA ensures that students with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, in the least restrictive environment.
3. IDEA mandates that each student with a disability have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines their specific educational goals and the services they will receive.
4. IDEA covers a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, and more.
5. IDEA emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in the education of students with disabilities, granting them significant decision-making rights.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and key provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that meets their unique needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living. IDEA requires public schools to provide special education and related services to eligible students, from birth through high school, and mandates that each student have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines their specific educational goals and services. Additionally, IDEA emphasizes the importance of educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and involving parents in the decision-making process.
• Describe the role of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the implementation of IDEA.
  • The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a central component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IEP is a written plan developed for each student with a disability that outlines their specific educational goals, the services and accommodations they will receive, and the least restrictive environment (LRE) in which they will be educated. The IEP is developed by a team that includes the student's parents, teachers, and other relevant professionals, and it is reviewed and updated annually to ensure that the student's educational needs are being met. The IEP plays a critical role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living.
• Analyze how the concept of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in IDEA supports the goal of inclusive education for students with disabilities.
  • The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a key principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that supports the goal of inclusive education for students with disabilities. LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, while still meeting their unique learning needs. This emphasis on inclusion reflects the belief that students with disabilities should have the opportunity to interact with and learn from their non-disabled peers, which can foster social, emotional, and academic growth. By mandating that students be placed in the LRE, IDEA ensures that schools make a concerted effort to provide educational settings that maximize opportunities for inclusion and minimize unnecessary segregation. This approach not only benefits students with disabilities but also promotes a more diverse and inclusive school community that values the unique contributions of all students.

Related terms

Individualized Education Program (IEP): A written plan developed for a student with a disability that outlines their specific educational goals, services, and accommodations.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The educational setting that provides a student with a disability the maximum possible interaction with their non-disabled peers while still meeting their learning needs.

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): The provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities at public expense and without charge to the family.