47 Years of IDEA

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 29, 2022) – Today marks the 47th anniversary of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, which was signed into law, Nov. 29, 1975.

The signing of IDEA into law guaranteed access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability.

Valerie C. Williams, director of the Office of Special Education Programs, shared her perspective of the IDEA in a blog post, 47 Years Later, Are we Delivering on the Promise of IDEA?

Williams writes about the commitment of the Department of Education and the Biden-Harris administration to “champion equity for children with disabilities.”

She also highlights both positive and troubling trends related to the IDEA, while citing the need for all involved in the education of children with disabilities to commit to designing high-quality instruction, supporting behavior, education the whole child, and setting high expectations.

Last modified on November 29, 2022