Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (idea)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is also known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The IDEA legislation "needed to assure that students with disabilities receive free appropriate public education (FAPE) and the related services and support the need to achieve" (Jeffords 1). IDEA was created to make sure that disabled children are receiving fair and equal education and support. This act has several parts to it which include providing grants, funds early intervention services, and supports research and professional development programs. Once a child is eligible for special education services, the individualized education program (IEP) is created by the parents, teachers, and other school staff. IEP is the basic rights of children with disabilities. It is important that the parents be fully informed and able to make decisions about their child. Right now, "Congress is in the process of reauthorizing IDEA, and the issues of mandatory full funding, use of funds, and discipline are among the issues debated" (Jeffords 2). The National PTA will support full funding for IDEA to assure that current law protects against cessation of education services, all funds are "freed up" within school districts to be used for educational purposes, parent involvement is preserved, teachers are involved, and quality professional development opportunities are provided to all personnel who educate the disable.

I decided to get this article because it helped me get more familiarized with IDEA. The article gave some good information about the Act. I really agree with part C of IDEA because early intervention is one of the most important tools when working with disabled students. Research and professional development programs are also very important since through these there may be a cure for certain disabilities someday. I really believe that the federal government should take more responsibility since only 16 percent out of the original 40 percent of each state's excess cost of educating children with disabilities has been honored since the commitment was made in 1975. Therefore, I am glad that PTA is supporting full funding for IDEA and assuring that everything will be covered and taken care of in the future.