Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
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| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | |
|---|---|
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| Shorttitle | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| Enactedby | United States Congress |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law in the United States that governs the provision of special education services to children with disabilities from birth to age 21. The law was first enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and was later amended and reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990. The law has been shaped by the work of advocates such as Judith Heumann, Justin Dart Jr., and Patricia Wright, who have fought for the rights of individuals with disabilities to receive equal access to education. The law has also been influenced by court decisions such as Board of Education v. Rowley and Honig v. Doe, which have helped to clarify the rights of students with disabilities.
Introduction to IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that requires states to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities. The law is administered by the United States Department of Education and is implemented by state educational agencies such as the New York State Education Department and the California Department of Education. The law has been shaped by the work of organizations such as the National Disability Rights Network, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. The law has also been influenced by the work of researchers such as Betsy Levin, James Kauffman, and Daniel Hallahan, who have studied the effectiveness of special education programs.
History of the Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was first enacted in 1975 and was signed into law by President Gerald Ford. The law was the result of years of advocacy by parents and educators who were concerned about the lack of access to education for children with disabilities. The law was influenced by the work of Senator Harrison Williams and Representative John Brademas, who introduced the bill in Congress. The law has been amended and reauthorized several times, including in 1990, when it was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The law has also been shaped by court decisions such as Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, which have helped to clarify the rights of students with disabilities.
Key Provisions and Components
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act includes several key provisions and components, including the requirement that states provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities. The law also requires that individualized education programs (IEPs) be developed for each eligible child, and that these programs be implemented by local educational agencies such as the New York City Department of Education and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The law has been influenced by the work of organizations such as the National Association of School Psychologists, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The law has also been shaped by the work of researchers such as Naomi Zigmond, Janette Klingner, and Charles Hughes, who have studied the effectiveness of special education programs.
Eligibility and Services
To be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a child must have a disability that affects their ability to learn and must require special education services to benefit from education. The law includes several categories of disabilities, including autism, hearing impairments, and physical disabilities. The law requires that states provide a range of services to eligible children, including special education instruction, related services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, and assistive technology devices. The law has been influenced by the work of organizations such as the Autism Society, the National Association of the Deaf, and the United Cerebral Palsy Association. The law has also been shaped by the work of researchers such as Lorna Wing, Uta Frith, and Simon Baron-Cohen, who have studied the characteristics and needs of individuals with autism.
Implementation and Funding
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is implemented by state educational agencies and local educational agencies, which are responsible for providing special education services to eligible children. The law is funded by a combination of federal, state, and local funds, with the federal government providing a significant portion of the funding through the United States Department of Education. The law has been influenced by the work of organizations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of State Budget Officers, and the American Association of School Administrators. The law has also been shaped by the work of researchers such as Thomas Hehir, William Clune, and Lynn Fuchs, who have studied the effectiveness of special education programs and the impact of funding on program quality.
Amendments and Reauthorizations
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has been amended and reauthorized several times since its initial enactment in 1975. The law was reauthorized in 1990, 1997, and 2004, with each reauthorization making significant changes to the law. The law has been influenced by the work of Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Representative George Miller, who have played key roles in shaping the law. The law has also been shaped by the work of organizations such as the National Disability Rights Network, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. The law has also been influenced by court decisions such as Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District and Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools, which have helped to clarify the rights of students with disabilities.