What is Special Education?
Special education is in place to provide additional services, support, programs, placements or environments to ensure that all students' educational needs are provided for. Special education is provided to qualifying students at no cost to the parents. The range of special education support will vary based on need and educational jurisdictions. Each state has different policies, rules, regulations and legislation that governs what special education is. In the US, the governing law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Typically, the types of disabilities will be clearly identified in each state's law surrounding special education. Students qualifying for special education support have needs that will often require support that goes beyond what is possible in the regular classroom setting.