https://www.edweek.org/idea IDEA en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:30:24 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/50-years-of-idea-4-things-to-know-about-the-landmark-special-education-law/2025/12 The nation's primary special education law details schools' obligations to students with disabilities. Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:30:24 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/50-years-of-idea-4-things-to-know-about-the-landmark-special-education-law/2025/12 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/parents-should-continue-to-file-disability-rights-complaints-say-special-ed-advocates/2025/11 Continuing to file them puts pressure on the Ed. Dept. to enforce special ed. laws. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:45:49 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/parents-should-continue-to-file-disability-rights-complaints-say-special-ed-advocates/2025/11 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-educational-exile-how-trumps-layoffs-threaten-students-with-disabilities/2025/10 Here’s what’s at stake for millions of students if we lose federal enforcement of IDEA. Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:09:25 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-educational-exile-how-trumps-layoffs-threaten-students-with-disabilities/2025/10 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/trump-canceled-millions-for-special-education-teacher-training-whats-next/2025/09 More than $30 million for teacher training and parent resources will no longer flow as scheduled. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:38:29 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/trump-canceled-millions-for-special-education-teacher-training-whats-next/2025/09 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/most-but-not-all-imperiled-federal-grants-for-special-education-will-continue/2025/09 The U.S. Department of Education says it wants projects aligned with Trump administration priorities. Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:40:10 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/most-but-not-all-imperiled-federal-grants-for-special-education-will-continue/2025/09 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/fears-grow-that-trump-will-cut-special-education-support-funding/2025/08 Advocacy organizations are warning members to brace for "hundreds" of grant terminations. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:46:29 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/fears-grow-that-trump-will-cut-special-education-support-funding/2025/08 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-wants-to-cut-more-than-40-federal-k-12-programs-see-which-ones/2025/06 The president's detailed budget, released Friday, proposes eliminating dozens of programs as part of a nearly $13 billion cut. Wed, 04 Jun 2025 18:17:34 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-wants-to-cut-more-than-40-federal-k-12-programs-see-which-ones/2025/06 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trumps-education-budget-calls-for-billions-in-cuts-major-policy-changes/2025/05 The proposal includes a plan to eliminate 18 existing grant programs and replace them with one funding stream. Sat, 31 May 2025 00:18:40 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trumps-education-budget-calls-for-billions-in-cuts-major-policy-changes/2025/05 https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-title-i-and-idea-have-transformed-schools-what-comes-next/2025/05 Keeping the focus on children most in need will demand political chops from local leaders, write two researchers. Wed, 28 May 2025 18:28:55 GMT https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-title-i-and-idea-have-transformed-schools-what-comes-next/2025/05 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/the-big-questions-about-trumps-k-12-budget-proposal-answered/2025/05 Trump is proposing to cut billions of dollars in K-12 investments, consolidate grant programs, and potentially rejigger special education law. Mon, 05 May 2025 20:21:34 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/the-big-questions-about-trumps-k-12-budget-proposal-answered/2025/05 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/supreme-court-to-weigh-discrimination-standard-for-some-special-education-cases/2025/04 The U.S. Supreme Court will consider what legal standard must be met for proving discrimination against students with disabilities. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:30:48 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/supreme-court-to-weigh-discrimination-standard-for-some-special-education-cases/2025/04 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/why-trumps-move-to-shift-special-ed-to-hhs-is-rattling-educators/2025/03 Current and former staffers are wary of vague plans to move special education out of the Education Department. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 20:51:58 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/why-trumps-move-to-shift-special-ed-to-hhs-is-rattling-educators/2025/03 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-says-rfk-jr-will-oversee-special-education-child-nutrition/2025/03 Advocates are wary as the president's comments don't specify when or how the transition will happen. Fri, 21 Mar 2025 21:59:54 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/trump-says-rfk-jr-will-oversee-special-education-child-nutrition/2025/03 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-schools-make-up-for-the-feds-unfulfilled-special-ed-funding-commitment/2025/02 Congress has never met a 50-year-old funding commitment it made for special education services. Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:34:05 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-schools-make-up-for-the-feds-unfulfilled-special-ed-funding-commitment/2025/02 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/biden-administration-scraps-medicaid-change-for-special-ed-services/2025/01 The proposal aimed to streamline how schools bill Medicaid for the mental health and medical services they provide to students. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:49:33 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/biden-administration-scraps-medicaid-change-for-special-ed-services/2025/01 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-how-to-get-ahead-of-a-trump-education-agenda/2024/08 An attorney at the Center for Law and Education proposes three K-12 ideas to recommit to the promise of public education. Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:05:48 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-how-to-get-ahead-of-a-trump-education-agenda/2024/08 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/project-2025-would-dramatically-cut-federal-funds-for-schools-then-what/2024/07 A key federal funding source for schools would disappear under the conservative policy agenda. Mon, 22 Jul 2024 20:59:30 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/project-2025-would-dramatically-cut-federal-funds-for-schools-then-what/2024/07 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/many-students-can-get-special-ed-until-age-22-what-districts-should-do/2024/06 School districts' responsibilities under federal special education law aren't always clear-cut. Thu, 27 Jun 2024 20:55:27 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/many-students-can-get-special-ed-until-age-22-what-districts-should-do/2024/06 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/whos-eligible-for-special-education-services-schools-struggle-to-keep-up/2024/06 Many states now require schools to offer special education services to students until they turn 22. Costs and logistics can be daunting. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:50:28 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/whos-eligible-for-special-education-services-schools-struggle-to-keep-up/2024/06 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/a-guide-to-special-education-terms/2024/05 The number of students in special education has increased steadily in the last four decades. Here are some of the common terms used. Tue, 21 May 2024 15:13:32 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/a-guide-to-special-education-terms/2024/05 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/this-state-would-be-the-first-to-reject-federal-k-12-funds-but-its-far-from-a-given/2023/11 Tennessee lawmakers have established a task force to review federal education funding, risking money for low-income schools and special ed. Mon, 13 Nov 2023 22:11:08 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/this-state-would-be-the-first-to-reject-federal-k-12-funds-but-its-far-from-a-given/2023/11 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 More states must follow through on this law. Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 States must have "robust" systems to ensure schools obey federal special education law, new guidance says. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:14:17 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07 What IEPs are, what their purpose is, and which students are eligible. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:29:22 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07 https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-medicaid-change-could-make-it-easier-for-schools-to-pay-for-special-ed-services/2023/05 A rule change from The U.S. Department of Education would eliminate a step that often complicates schools' efforts to bill Medicaid. Thu, 18 May 2023 21:55:56 GMT https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-medicaid-change-could-make-it-easier-for-schools-to-pay-for-special-ed-services/2023/05 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-does-special-education-work-test-your-knowledge/2023/05 What is IDEA? How much can the federal government contribute to special education funding? Take our quiz. Thu, 04 May 2023 19:30:07 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-does-special-education-work-test-your-knowledge/2023/05 https://www.edweek.org/leadership/special-education-is-getting-more-expensive-forcing-schools-to-make-cuts-elsewhere/2023/04 States and districts share the disproportionate cost burden of supporting a complex, growing, and vulnerable population. Thu, 20 Apr 2023 20:40:09 GMT https://www.edweek.org/leadership/special-education-is-getting-more-expensive-forcing-schools-to-make-cuts-elsewhere/2023/04 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/supreme-court-rules-deaf-student-can-sue-school-district-over-alleged-failures/2023/03 The justices rule that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act does not bar the student's suit for money damages. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 18:52:47 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/supreme-court-rules-deaf-student-can-sue-school-district-over-alleged-failures/2023/03 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-proposes-universal-pre-k-more-money-for-high-need-schools-and-special-ed-in-budget/2023/03 President Joe Biden released his fiscal 2024 budget, which calls for more money for preschool, Title I, and special education. Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:46:31 GMT https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/biden-proposes-universal-pre-k-more-money-for-high-need-schools-and-special-ed-in-budget/2023/03 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/supreme-court-seems-in-favor-of-deaf-students-right-to-sue-school-district-under-the-ada/2023/01 Miguel Luna Perez was there as the justices weighed issues in his case over his district allegedly failing to provide trained interpreters. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:03:24 GMT https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/supreme-court-seems-in-favor-of-deaf-students-right-to-sue-school-district-under-the-ada/2023/01