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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.
In 1997, the IDEA legislation was reauthorized with amendments.
Information on the 1997 law, including the amendments is provided below.
In 2004, an updated IDEA law was reauthorized. Those changes are
outlined in a link below.
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“The only pure and consistent advocates for a child are his or her parents
or family members,” explains Betsy Primm, coordinator of Georgia Learning
Resource Services Metro-North branch. “That doesn’t mean that educators
don’t advocate every day for their students, but year in and year out, that
is a parent’s role.” |
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