Wrightslaw

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the changing world of special education. Our mission

Highlights: Pete attends hearing on proposed IDEA 2004 regulations today, will file report on observations; IDEA 2004 - what you need to know about state responsibilities (the "catch-all statute); IDEA 2004 - what you need to know about IEP team members and member attendance; special pre-pub offer on Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 ends Friday; Wrightslaw comes to Hawai'i (July 29-31).

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When you can't find an answer to a question in the IDEA statute, go to Section 1412 - State Eligibility that describes state responsibilities. We often refer to Section 1412 as the "catch-all statute" because it includes so many different issues.

Read What You Need to Know About Section 1412 - State Eligibility (Catch-All Statute) to learn what the law says about:

* Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
* Child Find
* Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
* Equitable services for children in private schools
* Tuition reimbursement for unilateral placements in private schools
* Assessments, alternative assessments, accommodations guidelines
* Prohibitions on mandatory Medication

Read What You Need to Know About Section 1412 - State Eligibility (Catch-All Statute)

Note: Over the next few weeks, we will add more What You Need to Know about IDEA 2004 articles to IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw.

Topics will include: evaluations & reevaluations; discrepancy models & response to intervention (RTI) models to identify children with learning disabilities; content of IEPs; reviewing and revising IEPs; procedural safeguards; early intervening services; new legal requirements for notices and timelines that apply to parents and school districts; new requirements about due process hearings; and more.

More articles about IDEA 2004.

As many readers know, Congress made significant changes to the legal requirements for IEPs and IEP meetings in IDEA 2004.

IDEA 2004: What You Need to Know About IEP Team Members & IEP Team Attendance describes these changes - when IEP meetings may be held, who will attend, when team members may be excused from an IEP meeting, and what parents and the district must do before a team member may be excused.

If you are the parent of a child with a disability, you represent your child's interests. You need to stay informed about changes in IDEA 2004 that may affect your child. If you are a teacher or special education service provider, the reauthorized law will affect you and your job.

IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw will help you find answers to your questions. How the site is currently organized:

Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 by Peter Wright and Pamela Wright includes the full text of Parts A and B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) with analysis, commentary, cross-references, and resources.

Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 is designed to meet the needs of parents, teachers, advocates, attorneys, service providers, psychologists, administrators, professors, hearing officers, and employees of district and state departments of education.

Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 is available as an e-book, a print book, or both.

E-book (162 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", $9.95). Available now. When you purchase the e-book (PDF format), you can download it within minutes. You can read it on your computer or print it out on your printer. There is no shipping or sales tax for e-books.

Print publication (168 pages, 8 1/2" x 11", perfect bound, $14.95 plus shipping). Ship date: 2nd week of August.

E-book & Print Combo: Get Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 as an e-book immediately and the print edition in August ($19.95)

Internet Orders l Mail or Fax Orders l Toll-Free Phone Orders

Advocacy Challenge Discount: 50% Off on Bulk Orders

Hilo, HI - July 29, 2005 - LDA Conference (Keynote Speakers & Presenters)

Hilo, HI - July 30-31, 2005 - Boot Camp

New Programs: IDEA 2004 & Effective Advocacy

We are developing new training programs on IDEA 2004 and effective advocacy. We will provide more information about these programs and when they will be available within the next week or two.

Programs l Speakers l FAQs l Schedule