Fifty years ago, special education in America was born.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the landmark law known today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
It guaranteed all children with disabilities the right to a “free appropriate public education.”
Now, amid the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, there’s growing concern that protections for students with disabilities are in jeopardy.
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This episode was produced by Kathryn Fink. It was edited by Jeanette Woods and Nicole Cohen. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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