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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2016
On November 29, 1975, President Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of Public Law 94 - 142. This is the most comprehensive and complex piece of legislation for the handicapped to become federal law. Unlike other federal education laws, it is not permissive. States may or may not qualify for federal aid in carrying out the law, but regardless of the availability of funds, all states are required to provide free appropriate education to all handicapped children between the ages of 3 and 18 by September 1978, and between the ages of 3 and 21 by September 1980. Also, unlike other federal education laws, this law has no expiration date but is regarded as permanent. The law reflects not only interest but a specific commitment to all handicapped children.