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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

“For the past 30 years, children with disabilities, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf have revolutionized the educational and workplace opportunities available to America’s 6.9 million children with disabilities.  Led by landmark legislation, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities have had access to an educational system that builds upon their strengths and addresses their individual needs.  

On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act into law.  Since then, the U.S. Department of Education has released final regulations for the implementation of IDEA Part B (grants to states for individuals aged 3-21) and proposed regulations for IDEA Part C (Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities program).

General Resources

• Read IDEA 2004
• Read IDEA 2004 – Part B Final Regulations
• Read IDEA 2004 – Part C Proposed Regulations
• CEC’s Summary of Selected IDEA Reauthorization Issues
• Congressional Research Service Analysis of IDEA 2004
• IDEA Data on Enrollment, Disability, and more!
• IDEA Part B – Grants to States Program (ages 3-21)
  • A Primer on the IDEA 2004 Regulations
  • CEC’s Comparison of IDEA 2004 Regulations to 1997 Regulations
  • CEC’s Comments on the IDEA 2004 Part B Regulations
  • U.S. Department of Education – IDEA 2004 Website
  • CEC Issues Response to Proposed Changes to IDEA
  • CEC Opposes New IDEA Regulations on Selected Issues
• IDEA Part C – Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program (ages birth – 3)
  • CEC’s Comments on IDEA Part C Proposed Regulations
  • CEC’s and DEC’s Comments on IDEA Part B State Performance Plan Regulations 
• IDEA Part D – Support Programs
  • CEC Submits Recommendations to Improve Department of ED IDEA Part D Comprehensive Plan 
• IDEA State Performance Plans/Annual Performance Review
  • CEC Urges Department of Education to Halt Overly Burdensome Procedures
• IDEA Funding/Appropriations
  • CEC Denounces President’s Budget Proposal
  • CEC’s Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Chart 
  • CEC’s Campaign for Full Funding of IDEA