Special Education Laws

1. Special Education Laws
By: Cooper Simms

2. IDEA
(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
 IDEA was first enacted by Congress in 1975. This act was made so that
children with disabilities had a right to an education that would fit their
needs. This act allows for children between the ages of 3 and 21 to equal
opportunity for education. This also helps parents have a voice for their
child's education too. In order to receive these rights a child will need to fall
under at least one of the 13 different categories. Para are able to help
implement a students IEP.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/osep-idea.html

3. IDEA Cont.
 Deaf-blindness
 Deafness
 Emotional disturbance
 Hearing impairment
 Intellectual disability
 Multiple disabilities
 Orthopedic impairment
 Other health impairment (including ADHD)
 Specific learning disability (including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia, among others)
 Speech or language impairment
 Traumatic brain injury
 Visual impairment, including blindness
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/how-idea-
protects-you-and-your-child

4. ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act)
 ADA first became a law in 1990. Under this law people are protected from
discrimination of their disability. This law is to make sure that people have
equal opportunities. This law makes sure people with disabilities have equal
rights to jobs, education, and transportation. A para may help students with
their different needs in the classroom stetting.
https://adata.org/learn-about-ada

5. Section 504
 Enacted in 1973,section 504 helps with discrimination of those with
disabilities. Section 504 makes sure that students are provided with equal
access and with what they need at school to accommodate to their disability.
This law helps students have a fair and free education. A para can help with
the accommodations made for the student.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm

6. ESSA
(Every student Succeeds Act)
 ESSA was the replacement for NCLB, and became a law in 2015. Under ESSA,
schools are now required to teach student at high academic standards to help
prepare them for college. ESSA also requires schools to provided data on their
students achievements and graduation rates. Unlike NCLB, ESSA allows the
district to chose which support and intervention are to be implemented. A
para can help students with different support or interventions needed of the
student.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm
http://all4ed.org/essa/