IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Legislation
7/29/2011
IDEA Full Funding Act
Text of the bill
The IDEA Full Funding Act would gradually increase federal funds for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act over ten years to fund 40 percent of IDEA costs by 2021. The bill is fully funded by doubling taxes on cigarettes and small cigars and setting equivalent increases to other tobacco products.
3/31/2011
IDEA Fairness Restoration Act (S 613, HR 1208)
Text of the bills
These bills would allow parents to be reimbursed for expert witness fees incurred as part of due process proceedings under IDEA.
12/3/2004
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004

Text of the Law
Resources
4/19/2017
Advances in Accessibility through PARCC and Smarter Balanced
This document, produced by the Center for American Progress (CAP) reviews progress in promoting accessible education that has been achieved through the work of PARCC and Smarter Balanced.
3/22/2017
AUCD signs Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Endrew v. Douglas County School District
AUCD signed an amicus brief filed by the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) in the Endrew case, in which the Supreme Court issued a ruling affirming IDEA protections for students with disabilities.
2/13/2017
Guidance on Section 504 and Restraint and Seclusion
The U.S. Department of Education released a set of guidance documents that provide information about the legal limitations on the use of restraint and seclusion with regard to students with disabilities. These include a new Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504, a Q & A sheet, and a Dear Colleague Letter issued by the Office for Civil Rights.
2/13/2017
New Guidance on Rights of Students with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education released a fact sheet on the rights of students with disabilities in charter schools. The document is intended to inform parents, students and the charter school community as to students' rights under Section 504 and IDEA.
10/4/2011
Final Regulations for IDEA Part C Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities; Assistance to States for the Education of Children With Disabilities

The Secretary of Education issued these final regulations governing the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities on Wednesday, September 28, 2011. They are effective October 28, 2011.
7/21/2011
Bullying and Students with Disabilities

This briefing paper by the National Council on Disability was written for the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention and examines the problem of bullying in schools.
5/12/2011
Preparing General Education Teachers to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the National Center for Learning Disabilities published this white paper highlighting the importance of reforming preparation for general education teachers to bring about better academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
5/2/2011
Background on the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act

Writeen by COPAA
This brief memo explains the purpose and impact of the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, which was recently introduced in Congress.
4/29/2011
Fact Sheet: The Importance of Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the IDEA Part C program and quick facts from the research on early brain development, the importance of intervening early, the benefits of early intervention, and current unmet needs.
12/2/2010
CCD Education Task Force comments on alignment of IDEA & ESEA
Submitted to OSERS
Comments developed by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Education Task Force concerning alignment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind).
12/2/2010
CCD Powerpoint on the 35th Anniversary of IDEA

11/29/2010
35th Anniversary of IDEA
Remarks of the President and Melody Barnes, the President's Domestic Policy Advisor
11/24/2010
States request one-year waivers of IDEA maintenance of financial support

OSEP webpage compiling materials related to state requests to waive their obligations under IDEA's maintenance of financial support requirement
1/16/2009
28th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of IDEA
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
12/5/2008
IDEA Final Regulations: 34 CFR Part 300
Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities

1/28/2008
NCLB and IDEA 2008 Progress Report

1/18/2007
Alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act
Fact sheet on IDEA's alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act.

Letters

7/6/2018
Addressing the Policy Tangle: Students with Intellectual Disability and the Path to Postsecondary Education, Employment and Community Living
Joint Report: AUCD and NDSC
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) released a comprehensive report "Addressing the Policy Tangle: Students with Intellectual Disability and the Path to Postsecondary Education, Employment and Community Living" on implementation problems with using federal IDEA and vocational rehabilitation (VR) funding for postsecondary students with intellectual disabilities (ID).
10/31/2016
FY17 Appropriations
CCD Letter
Letter from CCD Education Task Force to Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole and Blunt, and Appropriations Committee Ranking Minority DeLauro and Murray urging them to support the highest possible spending levels for programs that support America�s 6 million children and youth with disabilities and the educators who work on their behalf.
4/29/2016
AUCD signed onto a Letter Opposing the SOAR Reauthorization Act
AUCD signed onto a letter urging members of the House of Representatives to oppose the SOAR Reauthorization Act.
7/7/2011
"Dear Colleague" Letter supporting funding for IDEA
24 Senators signed this "Dear Colleague" letter to Senate appropriators urging them to provide the highest possible funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for fiscal year 2012

3/31/2011
CCD Sign-on Letter in Support of IDEA Fairness Restoration Act (S. 613, HR 1208)
AUCD signed onto this letter urging members of Congress to cosponsor the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, which allows parents to be reimbursed for expert witness fees incurred as part of due process proceedings.

Related Links
Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004

CCD Education Task Force

Education Week Blog
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) in the Institute for Education Sciences

National Center on Learning Disabilities: RTI Blog
