in this aspect Massachusetts Regulations are more explicit.
Federal Law (IDEA 20 U.S.C 1400-1415) and Regulations (34 CFR Part 300-301)
Statutes are laws passed by federal, state and local regulators. The United State Code (U.S.C) title 20 is about Education. Statutes 1400 through 1415 are for Special Education, then sections (1,2,3...) and subsections (a,b,c...).
The Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R) is the explanation of the law statutes. Special Education Regulations statutes are from 300 through 301.
Free Appropriate Placement Education (FAPE)
Special Education and related services that: are provided at public expenses, under public supervision and direction, and without charge; meet the standards of the Special Education Agency (SEA), including the requirements of the part; Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involve; and are provided in conformity with an IEP that meets the requirements of
300.320 through 300.324. 34 CFR §300.17 or 20 U.S.C. §1401 (9).
Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
Shall mean a written statement, developed and approved in accordance with federal special education law in a form established by the Department that identifies a student's special education needs and describes the services a school district shall provide to meet those needs.
600 CMR §28.02 (11)
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
shall mean the educational placement that assures that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities, including students in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with students who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of students with disabilities from the general education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the student's disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
600 CMR §28.02 (12)
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
It is an improvement to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 now known as No Child Left Behind. The purpose of this entitle is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. 20 U.S.C §6301
Procedural Safeguards
Each Special Education Agency (SEA) must ensure that each public agency established, maintains, and implements procedural safeguards and meet the requirements of
300-500 through 300.536. 34CFR §300.500-536 or 20 U.S.C. §1415 (a)
School must provide parents with this procedural document but you can get it at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/prb/
Section 504 plan
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Section 504 provides that: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .” 29 U.S.C. §794-794b
State Law (Chapter 78B sections 1-16) and Regulations (603 CMR §28.00)
Massachusetts special education was defined as Chapter 766 before the Federal Law IDEA was developed in 1975. You can find at these documents at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/laws.html
Team Members
shall mean a group of persons, meeting participant requirements of federal special education law as provided at 34 CFR §§300.321 and 300.116(a)(1), who, together, discuss evaluation results, determine eligibility, develop or modify an IEP, or determine placement. 600 CMR §28.02 (21).
Types of disabilities described in IDEA law
1. Autism, 2. deaf-blindness 3. Deafness, 4. Emotional disturbance, 5. Hearing impairment, 6.Mental Retardation, 7. Multiple disabilities, 8. Orthopedic impairment, 9. Other health impairment, 10. Specific learning disability, 11. Speech and language impairment, 12. Traumatic brain injury and 13. Visual impairment.
34 CFR §300.8 or 20 U.S.C. §1401 (3); 1401 (30) or 603 CMR §28.02 (7)