The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Overview and Selected Issues

Publication Date: January 2008

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

Type:

Abstract:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides funds to states for the education of children with disabilities. It contains detailed requirements for the receipt of these funds, including the core requirement of the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The statute also contains detailed due process provisions to ensure the provision of FAPE. IDEA was revised most recently in 2004 by P.L. 108-446, but Congress has continued to grapple with issues relating to the act. This report provides a brief overview of the act with particular attention paid to issues of recent congressional concern, such as funding and private school enrollment. This report will be updated as necessary.