IDEA
What is IDEA besides yet another acronym we have to learn? It’s
the most important piece of education legislation to benefit people with
disabilities ever written.
IDEA is the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”
IDEA provides for a “free and appropriate education” to all
persons with disabilities. This legislation is the basis by which we determine
what the educational system must do, may do, and does not have to do when
it comes to educating our children.
Learning what IDEA says about what kind of education your child is entitled
to and what related services are included in that education is critical
in making sure your IEP goals are correct. Learning to use the language
of IDEA is critical in making sure you can even get the goals in the IEP
in the first place.
This page will give you information on not only the actual text of IDEA,
but articles by IDEA experts and additional web links to help you on your
quest for a “free and appropriate education” for your child.
Links:
Idea Reauthorization News
Wrightslaw FAQs about IDEA
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Guide to Disability Rights Law
Student Discipline and IDEA (pdf)
Council on Exceptional Children Summary of IDEA
US Commission on Civil Rights Briefing on Reauthorization of IDEA
IDEA Practices
National PTA’s Website
IDEA Requirements: Least Restrictive Environments
Recommended Reading:
Wrightslaw: From Emotions
to Advocacy—The Special Education Survival Guide
A practical "survival guide" designed to teach you how to advocate
for children with disabilities. Learn about obstacles, common reasons
for parent-school conflict, and how to manage a crisis. Learn advocacy
skills - how to organize, plan, present, and prepare. Learn how to organize
the child's file, write SMART IEP goals and objectives, and measure progress
objectively. Learn to create paper trails, write persuasive letters, and
maintain control in school meetings. Includes worksheets, forms, sample
letters; appendices; bibliography; index. To order go to www.wrightslaw.com
Wrightslaw: Special Education
Law
. Designed to answer questions about special education law, Wrightslaw:
Special Education Law includes the full text of the Individuals with Disabilities
Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, implementing regulations,
and special education decisions by the U. S. Supreme Court. To order go
to www.wrightslaw.com