The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal civil rights law that guarantees children with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education, requires states to provide special education services for children from birth through age 21, and helps fund those services.
October 13, 2025
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Describes the legal mandate and scope of IDEA regarding special education.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is the federal office responsible for overseeing programs that support students with disabilities, providing guidance to families and monitoring states for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
October 13, 2025
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Defines the role and functions of OSERS within the federal education system.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states must annually submit student data and annual plans and apply each year for federal special education funding to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to demonstrate compliance with the law.
October 13, 2025
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Summarizes recurring administrative requirements states must meet to receive and demonstrate proper use of federal special education funds.