Legal Support

Inclusion in early childhood programs is supported through years of research and reinforced by a strong legal foundation. This page provides resources to clarify the intent of the IDEA and explain regulatory requirements.
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Showing Results 1 - 7 of 7
Title: Virginia Guidelines for Early Childhood Inclusion August 2023 (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE)
Description: This guidance document is designed to assist Virginia’s school divisions and early childhood communities in identifying, developing, and sustaining inclusive opportunities within high-quality early childhood programs for young children with disabilities. The guidelines are presented in three sections: 1. Why Inclusion? 2. What is Inclusion? 3. How to Implement Inclusion. In addition to other changes, the revised guidelines contain important updates to the research supporting early...
Title: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities into Head Start and Early Head Start Information Memorandum
Description: This Information Memorandum (IM) highlights requirements in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to the inclusion of children with disabilities and delays. It includes a list of free resources for grantees' use in implementation efforts.
Title: Dear Colleague Letter - Least Restrictive Environments - January 9, 2017
Description: The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) related to Preschool Least Restrictive Environment. The letter reaffirms the position of the U.S. Department of Education (ED or Department) that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs where they are provided with individualized and appropriate supports to enable them to meet high expectations. The guidance provided in the DCL covers:...
Title: Virginia State Regulations for Special Education webpage
Description: This is the Virginia Department of Education webpage for information on State Regulations for Special Education Programs.  You can find specific regulations, fast facts, and procedural safeguard information on this site.
Title: Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (2010)
Description: The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, December 3, 2004, (IDEA ’04) and its implementing federal regulations, October 13, 2006, prompted the need to revise Virginia’s special education regulations. These regulations are effective January 25, 2010. 
Title: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE)
Description: The Every Student Succeeds Act  of 2015 (ESSA) was signed into law on December 10, 2015. ESSA amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaces No Child Left Behind. The Board of Education approved its plan to implement ESSA at its July 2017 business meeting. The final version was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in May, 2018.
Title: IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Description: Welcome to the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website, which brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and our grantees. Whether you are a student, parent, educator, service provider, or grantee, you are here because you care about children with disabilities and their families and want to find information and explore resources on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.