Reauthorized IDEA changes many policies and practices

In 2004, Congress reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the education law for children with disabilities. Most of the provisions of the Act, referred to as IDEA 2004, will take effect in July 2005.

When the Department of Education writes the regulations for IDEA 2004, these regulations should explain more clearly what some of these significant statutory changes mean. Advocacy groups and many in the disability community are concerned that several of the changes will have a negative impact on children with disabilities. One change in particular, a new provision allowing, in certain situations, school districts to bill parents or parents' attorneys for the districts' attorneys' fees, is likely to discourage assertive defense of education rights for children.

Other areas affected by the IDEA 2004 revisions include changes to student evaluation and transition timelines, individual education plans, due process procedures and eligibility definitions for learning disability. Parents should pay particular attention to these changes as they may require greater vigilance on their part to ensure that their children's needs are met.

Equip for Equality has developed a fact sheet outlining these and other revisions to IDEA. You can download the sheet (in Word Document format) or call for a copy, (800) 537-2632, ext. 7325.

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