IDEA Parent Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Rights and Responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)

Abstract

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has created this Parent Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) so parents can become informed and effective partners with school personnel in supporting their child's special learning and behavioral needs. It is hoped that parents will use this IDEA Parent Guide to understand: (1) How the federal law generally works in most states; (2) What the law requires to determine whether a child has a learning disability; (3) What is new to IDEA since Congress last updated the law in 2004; (4) What questions parents should ask and what information parents should prepare in order to be a full and active advocate for their child; and (5) What resources are available to parents. In developing this IDEA Parent Guide, NCLD has worked with parents of students with learning disabilities from around the country. Together, they have tried to address the questions, challenges and barriers parents face as they navigate their way through the special education process. Parents have also contributed their own personal stories so that other parents can hear first-hand that they are not alone in this journey.