IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004)
IDEA is the body of law that governs special education services. This law gives eligible children with disabilities the right to receive special education services and assistance in school.
IDEA was originally passed in 1975 as Public Law 94-142. Then, it was called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and gave grants to the States for the education of children with disabilities. Since then, it has been amended many times, while always maintaining its original purpose—to ensure that children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education. The most current revisions occurred in 2004.