Defining IDEA:
With more than seven million children with disabilities eligible for special education in school communities in the United States, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) enacted as law by Congress in 1975 continues to measure student’s educational access in 2009 (http://specialed.about.com/od/idea/a/IdeaDefined.htm). There is a powerful history of IDEA regarding students with disabilities in school communities. IDEA was a necessary legal mandate and call for accountability in education for students in special education programs. By providing appropriate public education that was individualized and specific to the learning and academic needs of students with disabilities, IDEA created educational access and accountability for educators.
IDEA continues to be a necessary legal mandate in providing educational communities with clear expectations on how to implement special education and related services such as speech, written and language resources to millions of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are evaluated for resources and appropriate services using an IEP (Individual Education Program) to modify the academic curriculum and provide behavioral interventions and expectations in self-contained and mainstream classrooms. Special education classrooms are divided into level 4 (self-contained), level 3 (low-incidence-self contained, some mainstream inclusion), level 2 (partial self-contained, partial mainstreamed) and level 1 (total inclusion in mainstream classes).
The majority of students who receive protection under IDEA are students of color who have experienced academic achievement learning gaps starting in the elementary grades. The greater numbers of student of color inclusion in special education classes have been a debated topic that continues to warrant discussion and accountability at the elementary level. In the elementary grades, diagnosis and placement begin the academic careers of millions of students of color newly labeled with disabilities in special education classes. IDEA is a law that continues to provide a needed academic avenue and accountability for students of color defined as students with learning disabilities and special needs who must be challenged to thrive and grow beyond their perceived and diagnosed disabilities.
Read Part II Of IDEA and Special Education: Inclusion & LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)