Bill > HR370

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark federal law originally signed on November 29, 1975, which transformed educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Prior to IDEA, over one million students with disabilities were excluded from the education system, but the act now guarantees a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities across all 50 states. The resolution highlights key provisions of IDEA, including requirements for states to identify and evaluate students needing special education, create individualized education programs, provide procedural safeguards for students and families, and offer early intervention services from birth to age five. The resolution also notes that as of the 2022-2023 school year, 7.5 million students nationwide were served under IDEA, with Pennsylvania having the highest percentage of students with disabilities at 21% of its public school population. By recognizing this milestone, the resolution celebrates IDEA's critical role in protecting and creating educational opportunities for vulnerable students over the past five decades.

Education

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr370