Supporting Homeless Students with Disabilities: Implementing IDEA

Overview & Synopsis

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees rights and services for children and youth with special needs. This Q&A brief provides basic information about IDEA and specific ways the law applies to homeless and highly mobile students with special needs. In addition, the brief provides strategies recommended by homeless education and special education staff from across the country for implementing the law in school districts. School district administrators, local homeless education liaisons, teachers, and special education staff will find this brief a useful tool to clarify the law and assist them in planning effective ways to implement it. Local liaisons and special education staff should work together to consider the issues addressed in the brief and develop a comprehensive plan to serve homeless students with disabilities. (Contains 21 notes.)