Activity 1: Laws in Special Education Answer Key
Purpose
IDEA (2004)
Reauthorization of IDEA
FAPE , and LRE, through IEP
Consistent with No Child Left Behind
RTI first, then move to referral
Ages covered
Public school students, birth to 22 years old
Disabilities
covered
Intellectual disabilities; hearing impairments; visual
impairments; deaf-blindness; speech/language
impairments; orthopedic impairments; autism; traumatic
brain injury; specific learning disabilities; other health
impairments; multiple disabilities; emotional
disturbance; developmental delay
Evaluation by trained professionals, incorporating
information from teacher and family.
No requirement for use of discrepancy model
Use RTI information contributes
Regularly monitored with measurable goals
Dispute resolution system clarified
Evaluation
procedures
Dispute
resolution
Section 504 (1973)
A section of civil rights law to
include assistance for
individuals who need help but
may not meet criteria for special
education
School children and adults
Persons with disabilities that
impact a major life function,
including education
ADA (1990)
Anti-discrimination law to ensure
access to businesses and other private
and public entity. Provides for
reasonable accommodations for
employees.
Primarily adults and children benefit
from ADA in their access to schools
and other businesses
2 major concerns:
Applies protection to nonsectarian
private schools
Requires public schools to make
reasonable accommodations
Schools will develop a 504 Plan
based on documentation
received from person with
disability.
Documentation of disability.
Not addressed
The school may develop a 504
Plan, but the plan does not have
to be written. Section 504 does
not require a meeting before a
change in placement.
The Department of Justice may file
lawsuits in federal court to enforce the
ADA, and courts may order
compensatory damages to remedy
discrimination if the Department
prevails.
Financial Support for Project IDEAL is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, with Federal funds* made available by the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. *$599,247 (74%) DD funds; $218,725 (26%) non-federal resources.
The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the funding agency[s]. No official endorsement should be inferred.
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