2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark piece of federal legislation that has transformed education for millions of children across the United States.
Before IDEA was signed into law in 1975, children with disabilities were often excluded from public schools. Families were left with limited or no options for education, and many students did not receive the support they needed to reach their potential. IDEA changed that. It guaranteed that every eligible child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
Over the last 50 years, IDEA has:
• Opened the doors of neighborhood schools to children with disabilities.
• Ensured access to specially designed instruction, supports and services tailored to individual needs.
• Required schools to partner with families through the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Helped prepare students for further education, employment and independent living.
Today, more than 7 million children in the U.S. receive special education and related services under IDEA. In our district, we see the positive impact of IDEA every day. Students with disabilities learn alongside their peers, participate in extracurricular activities and work toward achieving individual and academic goals. This year, we are proud to serve approximately 700 students with disabilities, from preschool through age 21. Our dedicated special education staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, school psychologists, nurses and school social workers, work side-by-side with families to create individualized plans for success.