IDEA 2004
The first special education law passed in 1975. Since then, the government has continuously reviewed and changed the policies within special education until it was last updated in 2004. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 was developed to ensure the rights of students with disabilities as well as the rights of their parents. The current law ensures that all students, from birth to age 21, receives a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) regardless of their disability.
The basic principles of IDEA are clearly defined to ensure that all students with disabilities are receiving the services they are entitled to. Along with the policies of not rejecting any students with disabilities, as well as providing them with a FAPE, there are specific guidelines that must be followed within a school setting. For example, students with disabilities must be educated in a least restrictive environment (LRE) in which they can succeed, one most similar of their typical peers, and they must be provided with necessary supports and services. IDEA also outlines that any tests that are to be a part of any special education decision-making processes must be unbiased and a nondiscriminatory evaluation. Said tests must administered in a child’s native language, appropriate for their age and characteristics, and more than one must be administered to assess the presence of a disability.
It is most important for parents of students with disabilities to know that all information regarding their child’s disability is extremely confidential. IDEA ensures that all information will only be shared with those who are working with the child, and a log must be kept of anyone who accesses the information. One of the main goals of IDEA is to establish positive and proactive relationships with the families of all students with disabilities. Any decisions that are to be made about a child are made with parent input. Overall and as they should, parents have the last say and must provide a written consent giving the school permission to provide their child with any special education services.
The first special education law passed in 1975. Since then, the government has continuously reviewed and changed the policies within special education until it was last updated in 2004. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 was developed to ensure the rights of students with disabilities as well as the rights of their parents. The current law ensures that all students, from birth to age 21, receives a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) regardless of their disability.
The basic principles of IDEA are clearly defined to ensure that all students with disabilities are receiving the services they are entitled to. Along with the policies of not rejecting any students with disabilities, as well as providing them with a FAPE, there are specific guidelines that must be followed within a school setting. For example, students with disabilities must be educated in a least restrictive environment (LRE) in which they can succeed, one most similar of their typical peers, and they must be provided with necessary supports and services. IDEA also outlines that any tests that are to be a part of any special education decision-making processes must be unbiased and a nondiscriminatory evaluation. Said tests must administered in a child’s native language, appropriate for their age and characteristics, and more than one must be administered to assess the presence of a disability.
It is most important for parents of students with disabilities to know that all information regarding their child’s disability is extremely confidential. IDEA ensures that all information will only be shared with those who are working with the child, and a log must be kept of anyone who accesses the information. One of the main goals of IDEA is to establish positive and proactive relationships with the families of all students with disabilities. Any decisions that are to be made about a child are made with parent input. Overall and as they should, parents have the last say and must provide a written consent giving the school permission to provide their child with any special education services.