The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Implications of Selected Provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA)

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

Type:

Abstract:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) are two of the most significant federal statutes relating to education. Although they both have the goal of improving education, IDEA for children with disabilities and NCLBA for all children, the two statutes take different approaches. IDEA looks at the individual child with an emphasis on developing an individualized education program (IEP) and specific services for children with disabilities, while NCLBA takes a more global view with an emphasis on closing gaps in achievement test scores. The 108th Congress is currently considering the reauthorization of IDEA. The House has passed H.R. 1350; the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has reported S. 1248. S. 1248 was placed on the Senate legislative calendar under general orders on November 3, 2003.

The relationship of IDEA and NCLBA has become of increasing significance with the current legislative activity. This report will provide a brief overview of IDEA and NCLBA, a comparison of selected provisions of IDEA and NCLBA, a discussion of Department of Education regulations and guidance regarding IDEA and NCLBA, and a discussion of provisions in the House and Senate bills regarding the intersection of IDEA and NCLBA.

This report will be updated to reflect major congressional action.