Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Reauthorization of the IDEA 2004

Links to important references and resources on the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal program that authorizes state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities. On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, a major reauthorization and revision of IDEA. The new law preserves the basic structure and civil rights guarantees of IDEA but also makes significant changes in the law. Most provisions of Public Law (PL) 108-446 go into effect on July 1, 2005. The requirements regarding “highly qualified” special education teachers became effective immediately upon signature.

Regulations
Statute
Technical Assistance Tools
California Statute Changes
Resources
Training

Regulations

Statute: IDEA, as Amended in 2004, PL 108-446, 20 United States Code 1400 et seq.

  • Full text of IDEA Statute, December 3, 2004 External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)

  • General Table of Contents (Structure of the law)

  • TITLE I - Amendments To The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
  • Part A - General Provisions
  • Part B - Assistance For Education Of All Children With Disabilities
  • Main section of the act describing special education services and procedural safeguards
  • Part C - Infants And Toddlers With Disabilities
  • Part D - National Activities To Improve Education Of Children With Disabilities
  • TITLE II - National Center For Special Education Research
  • TITLE III - Miscellaneous Provisions Effective dates

Technical Assistance Tools

California Statute Changes, October 7, 2006

Legislation was introduced during the 2007 state legislative session to align California Education Code (EC) to the final IDEA regulations.

  • State Assembly Bill 1662 (Lieber and Daucher) made changes to California special education statutes to bring them into harmony with federal changes enacted through the 2004 reauthorization IDEA. The bill was signed by the Governor on October 7, 2005.

  • Assembly Bill 1841 (Buchanan) aligns EC 56346 with the amended IDEA Part B regulations at 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 300.300(b)(4). This regulation requires that parental revocation of consent for the continued provision of special education and related services must be in writing, and that upon revocation of consent, a public agency must provide the parent with prior written notice, in accordance with 34 CFR Section 300.503. A letter, alerting all local educational agencies addressing this issue, was mailed January 6, 2009.

  • California Legislative Information External link opens in new window or tab.
    Access to California statutes, including Education Code, Government Code, and Welfare and Institutions Code.

  • California Code of Regulations External link opens in new window or tab.
    Access to the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 3, Individuals with Exceptional Needs, sections 3000-3100.

Resources

  • IDEA Partnership External link opens in new window or tab.
    The IDEA Partnership reflects the collaborative work of more than 50 national organizations, technical assistance providers, and organizations and agencies at state and local level. Together with the OSEP, the Partner Organizations form a community with the potential to transform the way we work and improve outcomes for students and youth with disabilities.

  • Council on Exceptional Children External link opens in new window or tab.
    The Council on Exceptional Children (CEC) is a source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators.

Training

  • Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004 External link opens in new window or tab.
    This US Department of Education Web site was created to provide a "one-stop shop" for resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations including training and technical assistance references.

  • Individualized Education Program (IEP) Web Module
    This self-paced Web training module provides information on how to write IEP goals tied to standards, student focused, and measurable.
Questions:   Special Education Division | specedinfoshare@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-4613
Last Reviewed: Monday, November 25, 2024
Recently Posted in Special Education
  • Equitable Services for Students with Disabilities (updated 08-Nov-2024)
    Equitable services provisions and proportionate share calculation are required for students aged 3-21, parentally placed in private school. Local Educational Agencies have an obligation to locate and evaluate all students within their boundaries.
  • Local MTP-Education Partner IA FAQs (updated 04-Nov-2024)
    Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and guidance regarding the Local Medical Therapy Program (MTP)-Education Partner Interagency Agreement (IA).
  • CALPADS Special Education Data Fall Roadshows (updated 17-Oct-2024)
    California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Regional trainings in Fall 2024 to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) with updates and changes to the collection of data for students with disabilities.
  • FMTA Consultant Assignments by Region (updated 17-Oct-2024)
    The Focused Monitoring and Technical Assistance (FMTA) Consultants are assigned geographically and by quality assurance activity to align with the eleven California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) regions.
  • WAI State Advisory Meeting October 28 and 30, 2024 (added 15-Oct-2024)
    WorkAbility I (WAI) State Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda.