May a schoolwide program school combine funds it receives under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
A. Yes. Under the 1997 reauthorization of IDEA, an LEA may use a per-child share of its Part B, IDEA funds in a schoolwide program school in which children with disabilities are participating. Specifically, the amount of Part B funds that may be combined may not exceed an amount equal to the number of children with disabilities participating in the schoolwide program multiplied by the amount of Part B funds per child with disabilities the LEA received. Unlike other Federal education programs whose funds are combined in a schoolwide program, the reauthorized IDEA only allows flexibility in the use of funds. All other requirements of the IDEA, such as those concerning the rights and services afforded to individual children with disabilities, must still be met for children in schoolwide program schools. Similarly, an LEA may use funds provided for eligible children with disabilities under section 8003(d) of the ESEA (Impact Aid) in the same manner. Q5. If a schoolwide program school combi
