Today in 1975 the Individual with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law. Parents worked to get it passed through Congress. It is a funding law; that is, monies go to states to provide services to eligible school children. However, federal dollars currently do not cover the entire costs of educating our children with special needs. State and local monies usually provide the bulk of the costs of educating our children.
This law opened doors of public schools to our children who previously sat at home without schooling. 
Although the front doors are open in Kindergarten, the back door is also open for some students. Schools sometimes don’t know how to educate our kids who have behavior challenges as part of the disability. Students are suspended and parents are not told of options, or parents feel pressured to withdraw the student or homeschool. Many students are “drop-outs”. Administrators act as though they are shocked when accused of these “forced dropout” scenarios.
Congress was wise to include in the IDEA avenues for parents and schools to resolve conflict; especially mediation. Mediation can be held within a month and often resolves disagreements so that the child can get appropriate services.
We help parents at low-cost. We help parents prepare for school meetings and also go to school meetings with parents. Visit our website at theiepcenter.com
Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center™ provides information to parents regarding the problems of children with disabilities. We have special knowledge about the children with disabilities. We are civil rights advocates. 
We are not attorneys and do not give advice. We are not licensed to practice law. Consult an attorney. Legal info can be found at wrightslaw.com
©2016 Special Education Parent’s Advocacy Link LLC dba The IEP Center
Missouri Special Education Advocates 
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