On December 3, 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act was enacted. This law revised the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and specifically connects the rules for special education to the regulations determined by the 2003 No Child Left Behind Act.
Children who are deemed eligible to receive special education services under their state and federal guidelines have an Individual Education Program (IEP) that directs their learning program in the classroom.
Caregivers interested in finding out more information about the IEP process need to consult with their child’s instructor, school counselor, lead special education teacher, or principal about the procedures in their school district. Though schools need to be in compliance with the federal IDEA law, some procedures vary according to state and district rules.