Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Definition

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, and schools in providing special education and related services.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IDEA was first enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and has been reauthorized and amended several times since then.
2. IDEA requires schools to identify, evaluate, and provide appropriate educational services for all students with disabilities from birth through age 21.
3. The law mandates that students with disabilities be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, known as the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
4. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be developed for each student receiving special education services, outlining their unique learning goals and the specialized instruction and related services they will receive.
5. IDEA provides federal funding to states and school districts to support the education of students with disabilities and ensure they receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Review Questions

• Explain the key principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how they aim to support the education of students with disabilities.
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is centered around three main principles: 1) Providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities, 2) Educating students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, and 3) Developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student to outline their unique learning goals and the specialized services they will receive. These principles work together to ensure students with disabilities have access to a quality education tailored to their individual needs and are included in the general education setting as much as possible.
• Describe the role of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) in supporting students with disabilities under IDEA, and explain how it is developed and implemented.
  • The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a crucial component of IDEA that outlines the specialized instruction, related services, and educational goals for a student with a disability. The IEP is developed by a team that includes the student's parents, teachers, school administrators, and other relevant professionals. This team collaboratively assesses the student's unique needs, strengths, and learning goals, and then creates a tailored plan to address those needs. The IEP is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure the student is making progress and receiving the appropriate support. Effectively implementing the IEP is essential for providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and educating the student in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• Analyze how the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principle of IDEA aims to promote the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education setting, and discuss the potential benefits and challenges of this approach.
  • The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principle of IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. This approach to inclusion is intended to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to learn and socialize with their peers in the general education setting, which can foster a sense of belonging, improve academic and social outcomes, and prepare them for successful integration into their communities. However, implementing the LRE principle can also present challenges, such as ensuring that students with disabilities receive the specialized instruction and support they need, while also maintaining an effective learning environment for all students. Schools must carefully balance the benefits of inclusion with the individual needs of each student, which may require a range of educational placements and services. Ultimately, the LRE principle reflects IDEA's goal of promoting the fullest possible integration of students with disabilities into the general education system.

Related terms

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): The educational right of a child with a disability to receive an education and related services that are tailored to their individual needs at no cost to the family.

Individualized Education Program (IEP): A written document that outlines the special education and related services a student with a disability will receive to meet their unique learning needs.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The educational setting that provides a student with a disability the appropriate balance of specialized instruction and interaction with non-disabled peers.