The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the federal law that governs the delivery of special education to eligibile children age birth to 20.
IDEA Part C (ages birth through two)
IDEA Part C is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. In order for a state to participate in the program, it must assure that early intervention will be available to every eligible child and his or her family.
For additional information on the Part C program, please contact Child Development Services.
- Related Laws. Read and download federal Part C IDEA regulations and statute on the U.S. Department of Education website.
- Comparison of Old & Updated Part C Regulations (PDF, 418KB). To help special educators and early interventionists in their monumental task of implementing the updated regulations, the Division for Early Childhood, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the IDEA Infant Toddler Coordinators Association have released a side-by-side comparison of the 2011 final Part C regulations to Part C regulations from 1999. This document was published on Sept. 28, 2012.
- IDEA Advisory Panels. IDEA requires that each state establish a state Interagency Coordinating Council, appointed by the governor of the state.
IDEA Part B (ages three through 20)
IDEA Part B is a federal grant program that provides funds to ensure that eligible students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs.
- Related Laws. Read and download federal Part B IDEA regulations and statute on the U.S. Department of Education website.
- Local Entitlement Application. The purpose of this federal entitlement grant program is to provide funds for students age three to five (611 funds) and five to 20 (619 funds) to ensure that eligible students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs. Services and activities must ensure compliance with state special education laws and regulations as well as IDEA.
- IDEA Advisory Panels. IDEA requires that each state establish a state Interagency Coordinating Council, appointed by the governor of the state.