ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the first 40 years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including the litigative and legislative developments that led to the passage of the law. The IDEA is divided into five provisions: Part A, B, C, D, and E. Part A contains the general provision of the act, including Congressional justification for the authorization of the IDEA and includes findings of fact regarding the education of students with disabilities that existed when the IDEA was passed. Part B contains the explanation of the provisions of providing assistance for education of all children with disabilities, including state and local educational agency eligibility, individualized education programs and placements, procedural safeguards, and other IDEA administration procedures. According to the zero reject principle, all students with disabilities eligible for services under the IDEA are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
