Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.-- George Evans
What is IDEA 2004? (Links in Bold Yellow)
The IDEA is a federal law that appropriates partial funding and governs how states (referred to as an ‘SEA") and school districts (referred as either a "public agency" or "LEA") provide, early intervention (birth through the student’s 21st birthday), special education and related services, to children with disabilities. The guiding principle of the IDEA 2004 is always a "Free Appropriate Public Education" at "no cost to the parent" (or guardian), that identifies and provides for the "unique individual educational needs of the child" and in the " Least Restrictive Environment " Children with disabilities, to the "maximum extent appropriate," should be educated with their nondisabled peers. Infants and children with disabilities (birth - two) receive early intervention service under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ( ages 3 - 21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B. The IDEA Statute was signed into law on Dec.3, 2004.
Some Basics on iDEA 2004...
Decades of tireless advocacy led to the recognition that children with disabilities have a civil right to a "Free Appropriate Public Education." In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into federal law, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). In 1990 EHA was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA was reauthorized by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1997 and again by President George Bush in 2004 (IDEA 2004).
IDEA 2004 & Wa. State
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Washington state law RCW 28A.155: Special Education provides the statutory basis for special education services in Washington. WAC 392-172A: Rules for the Provision of Special Education provides the regulatory basis for both IDEA & RCW 28A.155.
For more information:
· Washington state rulemaking activity related to IDEA 2004
Federal-level information from the U.S. Department of Education - Special Education Programs’ IDEA
OSPI special education UPDATES page. There are some important changes happening this year.
