IDEA 2004

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), a major reauthorization of IDEA 97, continues to ensure that all children with disabilities have a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and that the rights of such children and their parents are protected. It also aligns to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Some of the changes made in IDEA 2004 focus on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities rather than the special education process. Other changes emphasize the need to reduce paperwork and expand opportunities to reduce disagreements between schools and parents.

Additional information about IDEA 2004 is available in the Resources section of the PaTTAN site. You can also utilize the following web site links for more information about IDEA 2004:

• A full copy of the statute
• IDEA Reauthorized Statute: "One Pagers"
• A full copy of the final special education regulations
• Special Education Regulations: Topical Briefs
• Other IDEA information from the US Department of Education
• Proposed Part C Federal Regulations (Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities)