The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires states and school districts to ensure that children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment. The child’s educational services and placement must be based on the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is developed by an IEP Team. The IEP Team includes school personnel and the parents of the child. The IEP is developed after the child is evaluated and his present levels of performance determined. Parents and students have procedural safeguards under this law to protect their rights.