1
IDEA and the IEP Process
SPD-200: Survey of Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities
2
IDEA and the IEP Process
7.5 million students with disabilities were able to receive special education and/or other
related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (National Center for
Education Statistics, 2024). This is a significant number of children who were able to get the
additional, individualized, help and support they required to succeed in their educational
experience. On November 29th, 1975, President Gerald Ford sparked a change in history by
seeing and acknowledging every child and student through signing into law the Education for All
Handicapped Children Act; today this is The Individuals with Disabilities Act, also known as
IDEA. This law ensures that all children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public
education in the least restrictive environment. Guaranteeing every child with a disability can get
an education they deserve, develop their talents, explore and share their gifts, as well as
contribute and be a valuable member of their community (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).
Many elements and standards are involved in upholding IDEA, these ensure that everyone
involved in this process are doing what is necessary in terms of supporting, collaborating, and
working together in the best interest of the student.
There are six major components of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that
create part of the foundation that ensures every student is considered, supported, and protected.
These elements are free and appropriate education, appropriate evaluation, individualized
education program, least restrictive environment, parent and student participation, and
, procedural safeguards. Each element is comprised of key guidelines that make the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act extremely successful in fulfilling its purpose. The first major
component is that each eligible child under IDEA has the right to a free appropriate public
education, also referred to as FAPE. This means educational services are provided for every
IDEA and the IEP Process
SPD-200: Survey of Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities
2
IDEA and the IEP Process
7.5 million students with disabilities were able to receive special education and/or other
related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (National Center for
Education Statistics, 2024). This is a significant number of children who were able to get the
additional, individualized, help and support they required to succeed in their educational
experience. On November 29th, 1975, President Gerald Ford sparked a change in history by
seeing and acknowledging every child and student through signing into law the Education for All
Handicapped Children Act; today this is The Individuals with Disabilities Act, also known as
IDEA. This law ensures that all children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public
education in the least restrictive environment. Guaranteeing every child with a disability can get
an education they deserve, develop their talents, explore and share their gifts, as well as
contribute and be a valuable member of their community (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).
Many elements and standards are involved in upholding IDEA, these ensure that everyone
involved in this process are doing what is necessary in terms of supporting, collaborating, and
working together in the best interest of the student.
There are six major components of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that
create part of the foundation that ensures every student is considered, supported, and protected.
These elements are free and appropriate education, appropriate evaluation, individualized
education program, least restrictive environment, parent and student participation, and
, procedural safeguards. Each element is comprised of key guidelines that make the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act extremely successful in fulfilling its purpose. The first major
component is that each eligible child under IDEA has the right to a free appropriate public
education, also referred to as FAPE. This means educational services are provided for every
