The IDEA is the federal special education law covering children from birth through age 21. It was first passed in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in response to many children with disabilities being placed in separate schools or facilities. The IDEA was last reauthorized in 2004. IDEA guarantees a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities, being educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE), the provision of special education services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), parents/guardian voice in their child’s evaluation process and education.
Glossary Term