The following is Mary Ann Wolf’s “Final Word” from the March 16, 2025 episode of Education Matters featuring Dr. Tiece Ruffin, Dr. Carol Ann Hudgens, Glynnis Hagins, Susan Book, and Lindy Southern in discussion about the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Fifty years ago, the first iteration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law, transforming the American education system by guaranteeing that students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education. Before IDEA, millions of children were denied schooling or placed in inadequate programs that failed to meet their needs. This landmark legislation has changed the lives of countless students by ensuring access to educational services and support that help them reach their full potential.
In North Carolina, IDEA has played a crucial role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive individualized support through programs such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. IDEA also supports children who are not yet school age through early intervention services for infants and toddlers, and ensuring that children ages 3-5 with disabilities receive appropriate services in pre-schools. These programs are essential in providing accommodations and specialized instruction tailored to each student’s unique needs. North Carolina’s local public schools serve more than 200,000 students with disabilities, giving them access to the resources and support necessary for their success.
Beyond K-12 education, IDEA has paved the way for transition services that help students prepare for college, careers, and independent living. Across the state, school districts have developed programs to assist students with disabilities in making successful post-secondary transitions. This is the legacy of IDEA. Since 1975 this legislation has served students who otherwise likely wouldn’t have had their needs met.
The current federal administration has repeatedly called for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. This raises serious concerns about efforts to meet the needs of every child. If the Department of Education were to close, the impact on North Carolina’s students with disabilities and their families could be devastating.
IDEA is a law, so dismantling the department would not automatically overturn the legislation; however, without the Department of Education, states would be left to interpret and enforce IDEA on their own, with no guarantee of consistency or accountability. This could lead to significant disparities in services across districts, especially in already underfunded areas where losing federal IDEA funding will undoubtedly severely inhibit their ability to serve students with disabilities.
Even in districts with adequate funding, if IDEA were to lose federal support, the consequences would be felt quickly. The progress made over the last 50 years could unravel, leaving thousands of students without the support they need to succeed.
As we celebrate this milestone and the progress IDEA represents, we must also commit to protecting that progress. Educators, parents, community members, and policymakers must work together to fight against the removal of federal protections that benefit us all — whether directly or indirectly. Fifty years ago, IDEA set a new standard for inclusion and equity in education. For the sake of our children, we cannot allow those standards to be lost or diminished.
