Bill > HR4711

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark civil rights law originally enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The IDEA guarantees children with disabilities the right to a free, appropriate public education and has been instrumental in shaping how students with disabilities and their families interact with the U.S. public education system. Renamed and expanded in the 1990s, the IDEA now serves more students, strengthens access to general education, and enhances parental rights in resolving grievances. The resolution acknowledges the profound impact of the IDEA, recognizing the millions of students nationwide, including over 140,000 in Washington state, who have benefited from increased inclusion and educational opportunities, and reaffirms Washington's commitment to equitable educational practices and ensuring every student can learn, participate, and thrive without discrimination.