The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that guarantees children with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs. IDEA also establishes protections for families, creates procedural safeguards, and provides federal funding for special education services.
IDEA guarantees all children with disabilities ages 3-21 (and earlier in some states through early intervention):
Children ages 3-21 (through high school graduation or age limit, whichever comes first) who have one of 13 specific disability categories AND need special education services:
Important: The child must both have a qualifying disability AND need special education and related services because of the disability. Some children with disabilities receive accommodations under Section 504 instead of IDEA services.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE):
Education must be provided at no cost to families. "Appropriate" means the education is reasonably calculated to enable the child to make progress appropriate to their circumstances—not necessarily the best possible education, but more than minimal progress.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE):
Children with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled children to the maximum extent appropriate. Separate settings should only be used when education in regular classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily with supplementary aids and services.
Individualized Education Program (IEP):
A written plan developed by a team (including parents) that specifies the child's current levels, annual goals, services to be provided, and how progress will be measured.
Parent Participation:
Parents are essential members of the IEP team and have rights to participate in all meetings and decisions about their child's education.
Procedural Safeguards:
Families have specific rights, including notice, consent, access to records, and dispute resolution options.
Anyone can refer a child for evaluation—parent, teacher, doctor, other professional. Schools must also have "child find" systems to identify children who may need services.
Parent requests: If you suspect your child needs special education, put your request for evaluation in writing. Keep a copy. The school must respond.
Once referred (and with parent consent), the school must evaluate the child within 60 days (or state timeline).
Evaluation requirements:
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE):
If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you can request an IEE at public expense. The school can agree to pay or request a due process hearing.
A team (including parents) reviews evaluation results and determines:
All three must be yes for IDEA eligibility.
If eligible, an IEP team meeting must occur within 30 days (or state timeline) to develop the IEP.
IEP team members:
What the IEP must contain:
Once the IEP is finalized with parent consent, the school must:
IEPs must be reviewed at least annually. Parents can request a review meeting at any time.
Children must be reevaluated at least every three years (triennial), or sooner if requested. The team determines what additional assessments, if any, are needed.
Related services are support services required to help a child benefit from special education. They can include:
Medical services exclusion: Schools are not required to provide medical services beyond diagnosis and evaluation purposes. However, school health services are required.
Students with disabilities have specific protections when facing discipline.
Manifestation determination:
If a student faces removal for more than 10 school days, the IEP team must determine whether the behavior was caused by or substantially related to the disability, or was the result of the school's failure to implement the IEP.
If it IS a manifestation:
If it is NOT a manifestation:
Special circumstances:
Students can be removed to interim alternative educational settings for up to 45 school days for:
During disputes about placement, the student generally remains in their current placement ("stay-put") until the dispute is resolved.
For children birth to age 3, IDEA Part C provides early intervention services.
Eligibility:
Infants and toddlers with developmental delays or conditions likely to result in delays.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP):
Similar to an IEP, but family-centered and focused on supporting the child in natural environments.
Services may include:
Transition to Part B:
As children approach age 3, transition planning ensures smooth movement from early intervention to preschool special education (if eligible).
Beginning no later than age 16 (earlier in some states), the IEP must include transition planning for life after high school.
Transition services must:
Student involvement:
Students must be invited to IEP meetings where transition is discussed. If they don't attend, their preferences must be considered.
Agency involvement:
With parent consent, schools may invite other agencies (vocational rehabilitation, adult services) to transition planning meetings.
Parents must receive a copy of procedural safeguards:
Prior written notice: Schools must provide written notice before proposing or refusing to initiate or change identification, evaluation, placement, or FAPE.
Consent: Schools must obtain informed consent for initial evaluation, initial services, and reevaluation.
Access to records: Parents can review all educational records.
Participation: Parents participate in all meetings about their child.
Informal resolution: Talk to teachers, special education coordinator, or administrators.
IEP facilitation: Some states offer neutral facilitators to help IEP meetings go smoothly.
Mediation: Voluntary process where a neutral mediator helps reach agreement. Free to families.
State complaint: Written complaint to state education agency alleging IDEA violations. State must investigate and issue decision within 60 days.
Due process complaint: Request for hearing before impartial hearing officer. More formal process, often involves attorneys.
Resolution meeting: School must convene meeting within 15 days of receiving due process complaint to try to resolve issues.
Possible reasons:
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What questions do you have about IDEA? What's your experience navigating special education? What resources have been helpful?
Share through our [contribution form] or email [email protected].
Last updated: November 2025
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