Special Education Policy and Funding

The Department of Early Intervention and Special Education Services works within the context of State and federal laws and policies that govern special education — as well as within the broader educational mission of the Maryland State Department of Education — to ensure the education and wellbeing of our children, students, and families. Find out more about Maryland’s special education laws and policies below.

Special Education Services

Federal and Maryland state laws require that all students with disabilities be provided a “free, appropriate public education” that prepares them for employment and daily living. They require that local public school districts provide individualized or special education and related services to students with disabilities from birth until they leave high school. Explore these useful special education services resources to find out more about Maryland’s specific requirements.

Special Education Law and Regulations

Explore the laws and regulations that drive Maryland’s special education program, including the definitions of different disabilities, important tenets of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and parents’ rights. 

The Maryland Statewide Individualized Education Program Process Guide*

The United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) states that each Individualized Education Program (IEP) written on or after July 1, 2005 must comply with the Requirements of the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). Explore our guide to find out how the Maryland Statewide IEP addresses that requirement. 

* This pdf is not 100% accessible and is not a required resource.