Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

          The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that guarantees an individualized education program for children with special needs. It ensures that each child receives an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

Individual Education Program

          The IEP is the heart of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s provisions, a detailed document that is an individualized plan for your child’s unique needs. It includes the following components:

• Your child’s disabling condition

• Present levels of performance

• Goals that are appropriate to meet your child’s special education needs

• Related services and placement that are appropriate so that your child can benefit from their education

Tips: Preparing for your Child's IEP

          The IEP is the most important meeting in your child's education, and you, as the parent, have the opportunity to make a difference! In order to exercise your rights as an equal participant at this meeting, it is vitally important that you are prepared. The following items are tips to help you maximize your involvement in the IEP process:

• Obtain any assessment reports before the meeting- Look for progress, identify needs, and review recommendations

• Visit your child’s classroom and speak to the teacher about your child's progress and/or needs

• Ask your child what is going well in school and what s/he would like to do better

• Prepare a list of your child’s strengths and weaknesses

• Review the goals from the current IEP and note any progress

• Write down some goals you would like to see your child achieve in the coming year

• Be prepared to support your ideas and requests with past IEPS, recent evaluations or medical information

• Give at least 24 written notice to the school of your intent to tape record the meeting

Tips: Attendance at your Child's IEP

          In order to better advocate for your child at the IEP meeting, consider the following tips:

• You are an equal partner in the IEP process. Ask questions, offer suggestions and bring ideas to the meeting

• Bring a trusted person (i.e. spouse, relative, or friend) as a support system

• Be sure you have a thorough understanding of the assessment data that is provided

• Make sure that all areas of your child's needs have been identified and discussed

• Make sure that IEP goals are written for each area of need

• Make sure that IEP goals are specific and measurable

• Make sure that there are adequate services to address each of the IEP goals

• Remember - You have the right to consent to only the part of the IEP that you agree with

• Remember - You don't have to sign the IEP at the meeting. You can take it home and think it over before you sign it

• Tape record the meeting

Web Resources: Education Links

• Wrightslaw

• Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990

• U.S. Department of Education/Office of Special Education

• The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

• California Department of Education/Special Education /Division-Laws and Regulations

• Americans with Disabilities Home Page

• Autism Society of America

• IDEA Practice Final Regulation

• Community Parent Resource Centers

• National Association for Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS)

• Parent Advocacy Center for Educational Rights (PACER)

• National Down Syndrome Society

• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

• Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)

• International Rett Syndrome Association

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