Statute and Regulations

Statute

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law, or statute, authorizing:

  1. formula grants to states
  2. discretionary grants to state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations

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Sections of the IDEA Statute

The IDEA statute includes four parts:

Part A. General Provisions

Part A outlines IDEA’s general provisions, including the purpose of IDEA and the definitions used throughout the statute.

Part B. Assistance for All Children with Disabilities

Part B includes provisions related to formula grants that assist states in providing a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities ages three through 21.

Part C. Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

Part C includes provisions related to formula grants that assist states in providing early intervention services for infants and toddlers birth through age two and their families.

Part D. National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities

Part D includes provisions related to discretionary grants to support state personnel development, technical assistance and dissemination, technology, and parent-training and information centers.

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Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education issues regulations to implement the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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IDEA Regulations by Part

IDEA Part B Regulations (also referred to as Part 300)

Part B Regulations implement the Assistance for the Education of Children with Disabilities and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities.

IDEA Part C Regulations (also referred to as Part 303)

Part C Regulations implement the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.

Published Notices of IDEA Regulations

Agencies write federal regulations to implement and enforce the statutes passed by Congress.

Periodically, the department issues new or revised regulations, known as Final Regulations, to address the implementation and interpretation of the IDEA.

Slip Laws vs. Code Citations

When reviewing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it is common to see references to 600 sections and 1400 United States Codes (U.S.C.). As an example, IDEA Part B State Eligibility requirements are found in section 612 of the IDEA, which can be cited as 20 U.S.C. 1412.

Here are a few of the more commonly cited sections from the IDEA statute and the corresponding U.S.C. cite where you will find the requirement:

Law SectionU.S. CodeSection Title
Section 61520 U.S.C. 1415Procedural Safeguards (Part B)
Section 61620 U.S.C. 1416Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement
Section 61820 U.S.C. 1418Program Information (Data)
Section 61920 U.S.C. 1419Preschool Grants
Section 63920 U.S.C. 1439Procedural Safeguards (Part C)

To learn more about Slip Laws and Code Citations and to view a cross-reference chart, please see Slip Laws vs. Code Citations.


Severe Discrepancy