Family & Community Special Communities
Special Education

Guidance for Implementing IDEA 2004

Specific Learning Disability

	Statutory Language - Note that the definition of Specific Learning Disability has not changed. What has changed is that the allowable method for determining that a student has a specific learning disability has expanded. On the left side we have provided you with the actual language from the statute. All of the bolded language is new language. The right side contains the summary of the new provisions in more user-friendly language.
	Key Points for Specific Learning Disability - We have provided you with four key points and six additional resources you may wish to consult in the area of Specific Learning Disability.
	Table 1:Instructional Support Process - This excerpt from "Is Special Education the Right Service?" is included to help you see how an Instruction Support Services model operates. It also contains two important reminders concerning 1) non-interference with parental rights for referring students for special education evaluations, and 2) the requirement that the intervention be based on scientific, research-based interventions.