IDEA Partnership - Topics Database

The Topics Database section contains information on a variety of topics and related issues regarding the implementation of NCLB, IDEA and other legislation. The section organizes the information by first providing the "big picture" of each topic and then sub-topics and issues from which you can choose to find out more information.

This approach provides the legislative context in which to understand each topic, as well as the important interrelationships to other topics in other laws that impact students and youth with disabilities. After choosing an issue, you can view information from Federal Sources and IDEA Partnership Organizations, including vetted documents from the U.S. Department of Education and resource documents from the fifty-five IDEA Partnership organizations.

Please choose which topic you would like to learn more about:

On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Act is the most sweeping reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since ESEA was enacted in 1965. It redefines the federal role in K-12 education and will help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers.

President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, which reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), on December 3, 2004. This law promotes accountability for results, enhances parent involvement, uses proven practices and materials, provides more flexibility, and reduces paperwork burdens for teachers, states and local school districts. Many sections of the new law took effect on July 1, 2005. Large pieces of IDEA ’97 remain relevant; new information will be added as available and irrelevant information will be deleted. The regulations take effect on October 13, 2006. The IDEA ’97 regulations remain in effect through October 12, 2006.

Part B describes school age and preschool programs for children with disabilities ages three through five and six through 21. At this link, a variety of topics related to the implementation of Part B are available.

The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities serving ages of birth through age 2 years, and their families. At this link, a variety of topics related to the implementation of Part C are available.

Part D of IDEA '97 authorizes national program activities and federal funding for Research and Innovation, Personnel Preparation, Technical Assistance and Dissemination, Parent Training and Information, Technology, Media Services, and Studies and Evaluation. Information on federal investments is available at this link.

There are many related issues, policies and practices that affect systems, programs, supports and services provided to and for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Many are provided by federal, national, State, and local agencies and organizations other than education or special education

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA ’97), Public Law 105-17, was signed by the President on June 4, 1997. The law is organized into four parts: Part A: Administration; Part B: school age and preschool programs for children with disabilities; Part C: birth to 3 years –infants and toddlers; and Part D: national studies, technical assistance investments, personnel preparation investments, and research investments.

The 1997 Amendments remain in effect through June 30, 2005, except for the teacher quality provisions, which took effect as soon as the law was signed (December 3, 2004). Large pieces of Public Law 105-17, IDEA ’97, signed by the President on June 4, 1997, will remain relevant.