Opinion ID: 3135113
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and

Text: the School Code The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (EAHCA) (20 U.S.C. §1401 (1994)) was enacted by Congress to rectify “the failure of state education systems to meet the educational needs of children with disabilities.” B. Tucker, Federal Disability Law §14.1 (1994). In 1991, the EAHCA was amended and renamed the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq . (2000)). By its own terms, the IDEA requires that students with disabilities receive a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE). 20 U.S.C. §1400(c) (2000). A FAPE includes special education and related services that “(A) have been provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge; (B) meet the standards of the State educational agency; (C) include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary school education in the State involved; and (D) are provided in conformity with the individualized education program .” 20 U.S.C. §1401(8) (2000). Illinois implements its IDEA obligations by article XIV of the School Code. 105 ILCS 5/14–1.01 et seq. (West 1998). The School Code provides that the State Board of Education (the Board) must address the requirements of the IDEA when promulgating rules under the Code. 105 ILCS 5/14–3.01 (West 1998). Specifically, article 14 of the School Code, entitled “Children With Disabilities,” provides that the Board must promulgate rules to insure that children with disabilities are provided a FAPE. 105 ILCS 5/14–8.02(a) (West 1998). Under section 14–1.02, “[a]n individualized education program” must be written and agreed upon by appropriate school personnel and guardians for any child receiving special education. 105 ILCS 5/14–1.02 (West 1998). Section 14–8.03 of the Code provides a framework for school districts to implement the individualized education plan (IEP) for eligible students. 105 ILCS 5/14–8.03 (West 1998). According to section 8.03, a school district shall consider and develop “the transition goals and supports for eligible students with disabilities” at the IEP meeting and provide services as identified in the student’s individualized education plan. 105 ILCS 5/14–8.03(a) (West 1998). These goals are outcome-oriented and include employment, postsecondary education, and community living alternatives. 105 ILCS 5/14–8.03 (West 1998). With these goals in mind, the school district’s responsibilities to deliver specific educational services, including vocational training and community living skills instruction are clarified. 105 ILCS 5/14–8.03 (West 1998). Every year, a summary of the “student’s transition goals and needed supports,” resulting from the IEP, is submitted to the appropriate local “Transition Planning Committee.” 105 ILCS 5/14–8.03 (West 1998). When the student’s resident school district is unable to meet a student’s disability needs, the student is eligible to receive educational services elsewhere. See 105 ILCS 5/14–7.01 (West 1998) (children attending classes in another district); 105 ILCS 5/14–7.02 (West 1998) (children attending private schools, public out-of-state schools, public school residential facilities, or private special education facilities). In cases where a student attends a private school, public out-of-state school, public school residential facility, or private special education facility, section 14–7.02 of the School Code provides an avenue for the school or facility to be reimbursed by the student’s resident district. 105 ILCS 5/14–7.02. Section 7.02 states that, if, “because of his or her disability the special education program of a district is unable to meet the needs of a child and the child attends a non-public school or special education facility,  the school district in which the child is a resident shall pay the actual cost of tuition for special education and related services . [A] ‘[n]onpublic special education facility’  include[s] a residential facility[] within or without the State of Illinois .” 105 ILCS 5/14–7.02 (West 1998). Section 14–7.02 of the School Code further provides that any educational or related services provided “shall be at no cost to the parent or guardian of the child.” 105 ILCS 5/14–7.02 (West 1998). Section 14–7.03 of the School Code applies to children from orphanages, foster homes, children’s homes, or in-state housing units. 105 ILCS 5/14–7.03 (West 1998). It provides, in relevant part, as follows: “[F]or each disabled student who is placed residentially by a State agency or the courts for care or custody or  rehabilitation  the costs for educating the student are eligible for reimbursement under this Section providing the placing agency or court has notified the appropriate school district authorities of the status of student residency where applicable prior to or upon placement. The district of residence of the parent  or disabled student  is responsible for the actual costs of the student’s special education program and is eligible for reimbursement under this Section when placement is made by a State agency or the courts.” 105 ILCS 5/14–7.03 (West 1998).