The Arc at School

The Arc@School is an education advocacy initiative of The Arc, an organization with a longstanding commitment to educational access for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Arc helped advance the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), enacted in 1975, which required schools to educate students with disabilities. Today, The Arc@School offers training and practical resources to help families, educators, and other advocates understand and navigate the special education system.

Its online advocacy curriculum covers key topics, including IDEA, early intervention services, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504, transition planning, and post-secondary education. The site also explains the special education process and students’ and families’ rights, helping users learn how schools identify children who need services and determine appropriate supports. A searchable directory connects visitors with local chapters of The Arc, protection and advocacy programs, parent centers, and state education agencies. Additional resources include archived webinars and an AI Advisor. The website’s information is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.