About OSEP

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

NEW Happy Birthday PL 99-457!
On October 3–7, OSEP celebrated 30 years of early intervention services and preschool special education under IDEA. Visit the 30th Anniversary Webpage to review a week of activities highlighting the impact of early childhood provisions in IDEA. We shared our own stories, and those of parents, practitioners, researchers, and even individuals who received early intervention and preschool special education services as a result of this law. Don't forget to join the celebrations online—connect with us on social media using the hashtag #babyIDEAis30!