Background Information
Current Status
ACTE Resources, Positions & Statements
External Resources
Current Status:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was last authorized on December 3, 2004, as Public Law 108-446.
ACTE Resources, Positions & Statements:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a critical federal investment in the future of our nation. By ensuring that all students with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, this law provides a framework for school systems across the nation to use in delivering an individualized education program to almost 7 million children. Many students with disabilities enroll in career and technical education in order to develop job skills so that they can be employed and live independently, and benefit from career and technical education in the same ways as all students.
ACTE has identified four key areas in IDEA that are of particular importance to career and technical educators. These areas are:
- Transition
- Funding
- Discipline Technical Assistance
- Paperwork Reduction
Sign-on Letter in Support of Mandatory IDEA Funding 4/9/07
External Resources:
Toolkit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities
A comprehensive tooklit from the U.S. Department of Education, April 2006.
National Center for Secondary Education and Transition
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. This national website includes information on policy, regulations and guidance for implementing IDEA, research, and national publications.
IDEA Partnerships
The IDEA Partnerships, sponsored by the Department of Education, bring together groups representing service providers, administrators, policy makers, and families to improve resources and information dissemination related to implementing IDEA. The site has information on the law and professional development opportunities and resources.
National Dissemination Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NICHCY is the national information center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues. They have information on specific disabilities, education strategies, IEPs, and transition.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. This membership organization provides excellent materials related to the latest developments in special education and information on professional development and accreditation.
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education
The Education Resources Information Center gathers and disseminates professional literature, information, and resources on education and development of individuals of all ages who have disabilities. ERIC Digests related to research and best practices can be downloaded from the site.
National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum
The center provides resources on how new curricula, teaching practices, and policies can be woven together to create practical approaches for improved access to the general curriculum by students with disabilities.
National Association of State Directors of Special Education
NASDSE provides support to all states and territories in the delivery of quality education to children and youth with disabilities through training, technical assistance, research, policy development and the development and modeling of powerful collaborative relationships with other organizations and all constituencies. Use this site for contact information on your state leaders and access to national projects, research, and policy information.
PACER Center
The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. This site has a special section on student’s transition to work, and provides unique information from the parent’s perspective.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth
NCWD/Youth is a source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. Sponsored by the Department of Labor, the partnership program has great resources and a special “Ask the Expert” section.
TransCen, Inc.
TransCen, a name adopted to illustrate its role as a "transition center," is dedicated to the improvement of educational and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The website has information about projects around the country that are being implemented to help improve educational and employment outcomes for students with disabilities.
