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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA )
(formerly called P.L. 94-142 or the Education for all Handicapped
Children Act of 1975) requires public schools to make available to
all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public
education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their
individual needs.
IDEA requires public school systems to develop appropriate
Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for each child. The
specific special education and related services outlined in each IEP
reflect the individualized needs of each student.
IDEA also mandates that particular procedures be followed in
the development of the IEP. Each student's IEP must be
developed by a team of knowledgeable persons and must be at least
reviewed annually. The team includes the child's teacher; the
parents, subject to certain limited exceptions; the child, if
determined appropriate; an agency representative who is qualified
to provide or supervise the provision of special education; and
other individuals at the parents' or agency's discretion.
If parents disagree with the proposed IEP, they can request a
due process hearing and a review from the State educational
agency if applicable in that state. They also can appeal the State
agency's decision to State or Federal court. For more information,
contact:
Office of Special Education Programs
U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, S.W. ( Room 3086 )
Washington, D.C. 20202
( 202 ) 205 - 5507 ( voice )
( 202 ) 205 - 9754 ( TDD )
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