Special education and disability laws

This section includes links to the text of federal and state laws – including regulations related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – as well as links to resources for parents to better understand the special education process.

Individuals with Disabilities Act

IDEA 97 provides for a free appropriate public education for all children experiencing disabilities in the least restrictive environment. When researching this law, people usually use the following resources:

• https://exceptionalchildren.org/
• Alaska Department of Education & Early Development statutes and regulations
• Alaska Parent Guide: Education and the Exceptional Child

The following links are to documents that explain the special education process:

• Guide to the IEP
• Questions often asked by Parents about Special Education Services
• Understanding the Special Education Process: An Overview for Parents
• Alaska Parent's Guide

Confidentiality of student records

This section includes links to documents that explain the Family Education Rights Privacy Act and the state regulations that require confidentiality of student records.

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• School Records and Parents' Rights from the PACER Center

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 requires school staff to provide eligible students with disabilities with a free appropriate public education in which the benefits and opportunities are comparable to those provided to non-disabled students.

• Federal regulations

The following links are to resources that explain parent and student rights under Section 504:

• ASD Section 504 information
• Overview of ADA, IDEA and Section 504
• Free Appropriate Public Education for Students with Disabilities: Requirements Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Frequently Asked Questions about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities