Welcome

Introduction to Special Education

How IDEA Works

Defined Disabilities

Initial Identification

The Individualized Educational Program (IEP)

This section offers information on the federal IDEA statutes for educators, including special education teachers, regular classroom teachers, administrators, and other professionals involved in special education.

Our focus in this section is on the implications of the IDEA statutes on actual teaching. While these pages outline IDEA's basic structures and responsibilities, individual states and districts differ in their interpretation and application of these statutes. We therefore suggest you use your own district's resources for questions regarding specific legal rights and obligations.

Please note that, for simplicity, we use the term "parents" in this section to include biological parents, legal guardians, or others responsible for a child's education.

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