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Congress Wrestles with Re-authorization of "IDEA"by Phil Jordan June 23, 2003 Important issues are being debated in Congress as the calendar turns to the summer months. The re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is at the top of the list. The Individuals with Disabilities Education ActThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as "IDEA," is a federal law that requires states to provide a "free, appropriate public education" to children with disabilities. This has been an important law for people with disabilities because it has allowed them access to the public schools and the chance to receive a public education. Before IDEA, many children with disabilities were unable to receive a free, appropriate public education. Each child who is entitled public education under IDEA is allowed to receive education in a way that meets the needs of the individual. This is accomplished through a plan called an Individualized Education Program (IEP). School districts are required to work with parents to develop an IEP for each child who is eligible for Special Education services. An IEP sets out what the school is going to do to meet the child’s individual educational needs. There are a lot of specific rules about developing an IEP, reviewing it (which must be done at least once a year), and what an IEP must contain. IDEA also requires that children with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment. This means that, as much as possible, children with disabilities are educated with the other children in the school district. IDEA Re-authorizationMany federal laws are set-up so that they have to be re-authorized every few years. If one of these laws is not renewed by Congress before the deadline for re-authorization, the law expires and is not in effect anymore. IDEA is one of these laws that must be re-authorized every so often, and the Congress must act this year to keep it in effect. The House of Representatives has acted to re-authorize IDEA, but they are proposing that the law be changed. The changes that the House wants have been described by the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) as an assault on the principles of IDEA. They have stated that the House changes to IDEA "would segregate students with disabilities, punish them for their disabilities, and remove accountability for a Free and Appropriate Public Education." The Senate has introduced a version of IDEA re-authorization that is much closer to the spirit of providing public education for all citizens - whether they have disabilities or not. Advocates are working hard to make sure that this important law does not get watered down. Do you want to learn more about the re-authorization of IDEA? Try these links:
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