CEC’s Partners Reflect on 50 Years of IDEA: Let’s Go Learn

November 29, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Originally passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, this landmark legislation guarantees every student with a disability the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Over the past five decades, IDEA has opened classroom doors and transformed lives—ensuring that millions of children and youth receive the education they deserve.  

As we commemorate this milestone, CEC is inviting our partners to share their stories—reflecting on their contributions to special education and how IDEA has shaped their work and impact. Let’s Go Learn provides adaptive, data-driven tools that help educators accelerate learning, streamline compliance, and support the unique needs of every student. Their online platform blends powerful diagnostics with personalized instruction and real-time progress monitoring—saving educators time while driving measurable growth. 

Let’s Go Learn’s Contribution  

“At Let's Go Learn, our heart is in helping every child find their path to success. We support the special education community by creating a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses the whole child: their foundational academics, their behavioral well-being, and their future independence. 

Our approach ensures educators have the right tools for every aspect of a student's journey: 

This integrated system helps educators write stronger, more holistic IEPs and transition plans, all while saving them invaluable time so they can focus on their students.” 

"We believe true success in education means preparing a child for life, not just for the next test. Our mission is to empower special educators with precise insights into a student's academic, emotional, and life-skill needs. We are privileged to support CEC members as they do the incredible work of not only closing learning gaps but also building pathways to confident and independent futures for every student." -Richard Capone, CEO, Let's Go Learn 

Reflections on 50 Years of IDEA  

“For 50 years, IDEA has championed the profound belief that an education must prepare students for what comes next: further education, employment, and independent living. That principle is the core of our ‘why’ at Let's Go Learn. 

IDEA gave us the framework for the IEP, and we've dedicated ourselves to making its academic promise a reality with our DORA and ADAM diagnostics. But IDEA's vision doesn't stop at 12th grade. The law's emphasis on transition planning is a critical promise to students and their families, a promise of a future filled with possibility. 

That is why we are so passionate about our LCE 2.0 (Life Centered Education) curriculum. It’s a direct answer to IDEA's call for meaningful transition services. By providing a clear, comprehensive curriculum for essential life skills, we are helping educators move transition planning from a checklist to a life-changing experience. We are honored to help schools fulfill the entire promise of IDEA, from closing foundational learning gaps to building confident, independent futures.” 

Testimonials