Special Education

Legal Protections & Responsibilities

Re-authorization of the IDEA 2004

Guidance with Respect to State and Federal Regulations Implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (Microsoft Word | PDF)

Guidance Regarding Changes to the Due Process System in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (NJDOE/OSEP, July 2005)

Presentation on "Guidance for the Implementation of IDEA 2004" (NJDOE/OSEP, July 2005)

Links to important references and resources on the Re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal program that authorizes state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities. On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education 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. The requirements regarding "highly qualified" special education teachers became effective immediately upon signature.

H.R. 1350, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA):

• Key Provisions (NJDOE/OSEP Document)
• Full Text of the Act
• Conference Report on H.R. 1350, "Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004"
• USDOE/OSEP "One Pagers"
  The USDOE "one pagers" are descriptions of 16 areas addressed in IDEA 2004. The "one pagers" provide a useful reference for each of the topics covered, and set forth a short and concise explanation of provisions of IDEA 2004 as they pertain to each of the 16 areas.

Resources:

• Federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
• The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
  Purchase a 200-page document that is a side-by-side that compares current law to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.
• Council on Exceptional Children (CEC)
  Latest information on the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 2004 including summary and analysis of the new IDEA, press releases on the bill, and a link to the bill itself.