IDEA

Until the 1970’s, children that struggled with disabilities often were not allowed in the classroom. When allowed into the classroom, these individuals would be put together into a generic class, often taught in the basement of a school or an outside trailer. In today’s society that approach is frowned upon and children with disabilities have many more opportunities to learn and get a good education.
These opportunities were founded from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. This is a law that directs public agencies to present the opportunity for children with disabilities to receive education and other various services. IDEA 2004 defines the reason for special education. Because of this act children must be granted a FAPE which is a Free Appropriate Public Education. A FAPE will help them succeed in their future endeavors and allow them to get the education they need and deserve.
One of the ways that IDEA has helped these people to succeed is the use of an Individualized Education Program [IEP]. When IDEA was rewritten in 2004, congress intended for it to work hand in hand with the No Child Left Behind Act [NCLB] to achieve a better IEP. The IEP helps the government to assess what help a child might need or require and how well their individual program is working for them as a student.
There are some stipulations that a child must qualify for to receive funding, some of which include the area of disability. Some of these disabilities include but are not limited to: mental retardation, autism, and brain injury. There are 13 categories of disability that a person may qualify under to receive this specific aid. This act covers people from birth to 26 years of age.
Overall the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a great program and is definitely needed in America. It is important that every citizen in the United States is educated and is able to receive the best education possible despite a disability. This act is absolutely pertinent to today’s children and future children of America.

Works Cited

Newsroom. (2005, August 9). Retrieved June 15, 2009, from Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act Burden of Proof: On Parents or Schools?: hhtp://www.ncd.gov/

Steedman, W. (2008, September 15). Wrightslaw: Idea 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2009,
from 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 to Improve Your Child's Special Education: http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/art/10.tips.steedman.htm

Wikipedia. (2009, June 8). Retrieved June 15, 2009, from Individuals with Disabilities
Education: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals_with_Disabilities_Education_Act