IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is a federal law that guarantees all children with disabilities a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). IDEA is implemented in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
IDEA defines a disability as "a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities." Major life activities include learning, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, self-care, and working.
Under IDEA, children with disabilities are entitled to a number of services, including:
Assessment and evaluation
Individualized education plans (IEPs)
Special education and related services
Transition services
IEPs are written documents that outline the specific educational and related services that a child with a disability needs to receive in order to succeed in school. IEPs are developed by a team of professionals, including the child's parents, teachers, and other service providers.
The LRE is the setting that most closely resembles the general education environment and allows a child with a disability to participate and progress in the general education curriculum. The LRE may include a regular classroom, a special education classroom, or a combination of both.
IDEA is an important law that ensures that all children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a quality education. If you have a child with a disability, you should contact your local school district to learn more about your child's rights under IDEA.
In addition to IDEA, Pennsylvania also has a number of other laws and regulations that govern special education in the state. These include:
Chapter 14 of the Pennsylvania Code
The Pennsylvania Special Education Funding Formula
The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
You can find more information about special education in Pennsylvania on the PDE website.