IDEA Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

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In 1991 the Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This law was passed to provide free and appropriate public education to every child with a disability. It requires that each child with a disability “have access to the program best suited to that child’s special needs which is as close as possible to a normal child’s educational program” (Martin, 1978). The Individualized education program (IEP) was developed to help provide a written record of students’ needs and procedures for each child that receives special education services. The IEP will list all the services to be provided, the student's performance level, academic performance, and modifications in place for the student.

Human rights to education are important to the right to a fair education. Article 26.2 which explains the human right to equality in education and states that (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Before the Education for All Handicapped Child...

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... the amount of extra procedures and paperwork a teacher is required to do that could be spent teaching. According to research the school staff often state beliefs that IDEA protects children and parents but not districts, schools and teachers. Also, parents request services for their children for which their children do not qualify based on local, state and federal guidelines. Teachers and administrators often have to deal with anger from parents who do not understand or agree with the regulations by which the school must abide.

REFERENCES

Driscoll, Amy; Nagel, Nancy G. (2008). Early Childhood Education, Birth -8: The World of Children, Families, and Educators. Pearson education Inc.

Martin, Ed. (1978). Instructor 87, no.9, p.63

Simpson, Michael D. (1997). “Rights watch: Who’s Paying for special Ed? NEA

Building the legacy: IDEA 2004. http://idea.ed.gov

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