Understanding the Education of Handicapped Act: A Guide for Parents and Educators
As a parent or educator of a child with a disability, understanding the Education of Handicapped Act (EHA) is crucial to ensure your child receives all the rights and benefits they are entitled to. EHA, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is a federal law that was enacted in 1975. It requires public schools to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities.
To help you better understand the EHA and its implications, we have compiled this comprehensive guide that covers the key aspects of the act.
Identification and Evaluation
The first step to receiving special education services under the EHA is to identify and evaluate the child. This process involves a series of assessments and tests that are conducted to determine the child’s strengths, weaknesses, and needs.
Parents and educators should work together to ensure that the child is evaluated in all areas of suspected disability, including academic performance, functional behavior, and social and emotional development. This evaluation must be conducted at no cost to the parents.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Once a child has been determined eligible for special education services, an IEP is developed. The IEP is a written plan that outlines the child’s educational goals and needs, as well as the services and accommodations that will be provided to help them achieve those goals.
The IEP is developed by a team that includes the parents, the child (if appropriate), regular education teachers, special education teachers, and other professionals such as speech therapists or occupational therapists. The IEP must be reviewed and updated annually.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The EHA mandates that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) possible. This means that they should be placed in the same classroom and school as their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible.
If a child cannot be educated in a regular classroom with supplementary aids and services, then other placement options may be considered. However, the goal is always to provide the maximum possible inclusion.
Procedural Safeguards
To protect the rights of parents and students, the EHA includes a number of procedural safeguards. These safeguards include the right to participate in the development of the IEP, the right to receive notice before any changes are made to the IEP, and the right to dispute any decisions made by the school regarding their child’s education.
These safeguards are in place to ensure that the needs of the child are met and that they receive the appropriate services and accommodations.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the EHA is crucial for parents and educators of students with disabilities. The act provides numerous rights and protections for students with disabilities, including the right to a free appropriate public education and the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment possible.
By working collaboratively and utilizing the procedural safeguards in place, parents and educators can ensure that their child’s needs are met and that they receive the services and accommodations necessary for them to succeed.
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