Celebrating 35 Years of IDEA

If you only have 10 minutes to spare this week (and I know how that can be), you should watch this outstanding short video, Celebrating 35 Years of IDEA.  This video provides a brief overview of the history and provisions of the Federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  IDEA requires that every state provide children with disabilities with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).  NH’s special education law and regulations implement the requirements of IDEA and include some additional provisions that make our rules more clear, while also facilitating and encouraging parental involvement at every step in the special education process.  You can find out more about NH’s special education law and process by visiting our special education website at http://www.nhspecialed.org/, where you will also find our current schedule of free workshops.   

This video, which was produced by the U.S. Department of Education for the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the IDEA, serves as an excellent reminder of where we have been and how important it is that we continue to have the critical protections provided by our Federal and State special education laws!