School - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

[Guest guest]

Hi Sally,

This is the first year I have ran into this type of problem to this degree. I

think its a good idea to keep a copy of the ADA section 202 handy.

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

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

U.S. Department of Education

330 C Street, S.W. (Room 3086)

Washington, D.C. 20202

_www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP_

(http://www.usdoj.gov/cgi-bin/outside.cgi?http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP)

(202) 205-5507 (voice/TTY)