IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Indiana)
Eligibility
Indiana public school districts serving students with disabilities receive IDEA Part B formula funds. Funds support special education services, including assistive technology, accessible curriculum, and specialized instruction. Physical computing tools and accessible coding curriculum that support students with IEPs can be funded through IDEA Part B when documented in a student's Individualized Education Program. Contact your district's special education director or federal programs coordinator to understand how IDEA funds can support CS and STEM access for Indiana students with disabilities.
Program Goals
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provides Indiana school districts with formula funding to serve students with disabilities. For Indiana schools expanding CS and AI literacy access for students with IEPs, IDEA Part B is a key funding source for accessible technology, assistive devices, and specialized curriculum. Physical computing kits with accessible interfaces and coding curriculum designed for diverse learners can be purchased through IDEA Part B when documented in students' IEPs and aligned to their educational goals. Forward Education's kits support multiple learning modalities and can be used with accommodations for students with disabilities.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
IDEA Part B funds flow to Indiana school districts through the annual IDEA application process administered by IDOE. There is no competitive application — funds flow by formula. Contact your district's special education director or federal programs coordinator to understand how IDEA funds are allocated and what technology and curriculum purchases are allowable for students with IEPs. Purchases must be documented in individual students' IEPs to qualify for IDEA funding.
Cycle Notes
IDEA Part B funds are allocated annually through the federal IDEA process. Indiana districts receive allocations each fall for the current school year. Contact your district's special education director for your district's current IDEA allocation and allowable expenditure categories. Technology and curriculum purchases for students with IEPs must be documented in individual IEPs.
Grant Award Amount
Indiana school districts collectively receive hundreds of millions in IDEA Part B funds annually. Individual district allocations depend on the number of students with disabilities served. Contact your district's special education director for your district's current IDEA allocation amount.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- micro:bit Starter Kit — accessible physical computing for Indiana students with IEPs in CS programs
- MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — AI literacy tools adaptable for Indiana students with disabilities in IDEA-funded programs
- Coding for Good Kit — accessible CS curriculum for Indiana special education students building coding skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indiana schools use IDEA funds for STEM and coding tools for students with disabilities?
Yes. IDEA Part B funds can support accessible technology, assistive devices, and specialized curriculum for students with IEPs when purchases are documented in individual IEPs and aligned to educational goals.
How do Indiana schools access IDEA Part B funds?
Contact your district's special education director or federal programs coordinator. IDEA funds flow by formula to Indiana districts — there is no competitive application.
Are Forward Education's kits accessible for students with disabilities?
Yes. Forward Education's physical computing kits support multiple learning modalities and can be used with accommodations for students with diverse learning needs. Contact us for accessibility documentation.
Must IDEA purchases be documented in individual IEPs?
Yes. Technology and curriculum purchases for specific students must be documented in each student's Individualized Education Program to qualify for IDEA Part B funding.
How can Forward Education help Indiana schools use IDEA funds for CS programs?
Forward Education provides accessibility documentation, curriculum alignment for diverse learners, and letters of support for Indiana special education programs purchasing CS tools through IDEA. Contact us for details.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Indiana standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more Indiana funding resources
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