What year was the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) first passed?

• A. 1980
• B. 1975
• C. 1990
• D. 2000

Answer: (B)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was first passed in 1975. This landmark legislation was originally enacted as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) and was pivotal in ensuring that children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education. The act established specific rights for children with disabilities and mandated that schools provide individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to the unique needs of each child.

The passage of this law marked a significant step toward inclusivity and accessibility in education, setting the foundation for future amendments and changes that would expand and strengthen the rights of students with disabilities. The act has evolved over the years, with reauthorizations in 1990, 1997, and 2004 that further refined and improved provisions and services for children with disabilities, but the original act in 1975 was crucial for initiating these changes.