Number: RS22138
Title: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Overview of P.L. 108-446
Authors: Nancy Lee Jones, American Law Division; and Richard N. Apling, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the main federal program concerning the education of children with disabilities. It authorizes state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities and contains detailed due process protections for children with disabilities and their parents. On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed "the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Improvement Act" (P.L. 108-446), a major reauthorization and revision of IDEA. The new law preserves the basic structure and civil rights guarantees of IDEA but also makes significant changes in the law. Most provisions of P.L. 108-446 go into effect on July 1, 2005. This report discusses several of the major changes made by the reauthorization.
Pages: 6
Date: May 5, 2005