What is the purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

What is the purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

• A. To limit services available to disabled students
• B. To facilitate the reauthorization and expansion of PL 94-142
• C. To provide funding for special education only
• D. To eliminate disabilities in children

Answer: (B)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) serves the purpose of ensuring that children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. By facilitating the reauthorization and expansion of Public Law 94-142, which was the original law that provided special education services, IDEA reinforces and builds upon the foundation established for the educational rights of children with disabilities. This includes mandates for individualized education programs (IEPs) and the requirement for schools to make necessary accommodations to support students’ learning. The other options do not accurately reflect the intent and function of IDEA. Limiting services to disabled students would contradict the law’s purpose of expanding educational opportunities. Providing funding solely for special education does not encompass the comprehensive legal framework that IDEA represents, which also includes services such as related services and supports. Lastly, the idea of eliminating disabilities in children is not only unattainable but also misinterprets the goal of IDEA, which is to support the educational needs of children with disabilities rather than seeking to eliminate their disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) serves the purpose of ensuring that children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. By facilitating the reauthorization and expansion of Public Law 94-142, which was the original law that provided special education services, IDEA reinforces and builds upon the foundation established for the educational rights of children with disabilities. This includes mandates for individualized education programs (IEPs) and the requirement for schools to make necessary accommodations to support students’ learning.

The other options do not accurately reflect the intent and function of IDEA. Limiting services to disabled students would contradict the law’s purpose of expanding educational opportunities. Providing funding solely for special education does not encompass the comprehensive legal framework that IDEA represents, which also includes services such as related services and supports. Lastly, the idea of eliminating disabilities in children is not only unattainable but also misinterprets the goal of IDEA, which is to support the educational needs of children with disabilities rather than seeking to eliminate their disabilities.