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IDEA
IDEA is a federal law that requires states to ensure that all school districts
provide services to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities.
Students must be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This means
that school districts must meet with the parents to develop an Individualized
Education Program that determines best placement for their child. School
districts that fail to provide an appropriate placement for children with
disabilities can be taken to due process wherein parents may legally and
formally submit their grievances and demand appropriate services for their
child. All disabled children are entitled to a free and appropriate public
education (FAPE).
The federal government supports the standards developed in the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The law mandates that schools
must accommodate students with disabilities as defined by the act, and specifies
methods for funding the (sometimes large) costs of providing them with the
necessary facilities.
Criticism
At risk students (those with needs that aren't affected by a disability) are
commonly placed in special education. However, placing at risk students with
disabled students does not provide free and appropriate public education to the
disabled.
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