To Assure The Free Appropriate Public Education Of All Handicapped Children

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides funds to states for the education of children with disabilities. It contains detailed requirements for the receipt of these funds, including the core requirement of the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). IDEA was comprehensively revised in 1997 by P L 105-17, but Congress has continued to grapple with issues relating to the Act. This book provides an overview of the Act with particular attention paid to issues of recent congressional concern, such as funding and the provision of FAPE for children with disabilities found to have brought a weapon to school.

The monograph examines the status of education for the handicapped and addresses the provisions of P.L. 98-199 The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1983. Chapter 1, on progress in the education of the handicapped, presents information on the following topics: (1) the number of handicapped students receiving a free, appropriate public education; (2) special education and related services personnel; (3) least restrictive environment; (4) student evaluation; (5) individualized education programs; and (6) regressive trends, including the impact of fiscal restraint on actual appropriations. Chapter 2 outlines provisions of P.L. 98-199 regarding such aspects as centers and services to meet the special needs of the handicapped, personnel recruitment and training, research and demonstration projects, and special programs for children with specific learning disabilities. The text of the amended law is included as well as a list of public policy resources that are available through the Council for Exceptional Children. (CL)

Covers IDEA and its accompanying regulations and analyzes cases involving procedural due process, assistive technology, disciplinary sanctions, dispute resolution, antidiscrimination laws, and special services entitlement.