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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Idea)

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Diversity and Inclusion FDT 4/5
Natalie C. Miller
May 4, 2012
Western Governors University Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Before Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, an underserved number of children in the United States living with disabilities received a fair education. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (PL 94-142) enabled states to provide for and improve the availability of an education for individuals with disabilities. Renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476) or IDEA in 1990 (Allen and Cowdery, 2009) the amended Act authorizes a Free Appropriate Public Education for children with disabilities from birth to 21 years of age. Since 1990, amendments to IDEA now include changes to how the Individualized Education Programs are implemented; funding is appropriated; identification and determination of children with disabilities; due process procedures for parents of children with disabilities; and the effectiveness of educational services for children with disabilities. This paper will summarize the various changes to IDEA since the acts inception, and the guidelines and steps needed to create an IEP. Six Key Components of the Original 1975 IDEA The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 mandates states and public schools provide a “Free-Appropriate Public Education” to students with disabilities (Ask Family Resource Center, 2007). The Act mandates six key components all states and public schools must adhere to in order to achieve the goals set forth in the original IDEA of 1975. These areas include providing a free and appropriate public education or (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE); Individualized Education Program (IEP); procedural due process;

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