The following press release from United States Department of Education reflects Maine policy and continued mission in many aspects as the Department continues to review policy and guides school districts on the IDEA Law.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. Education Department is releasing guidance aimed at ensuring that America’s 6 million children and youth with disabilities have the same opportunity for a quality education as their nondisabled peers.
“In the 40 years since this law was enacted, we have moved beyond simply providing children and youth with disabilities access to the school house,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “Today, we want to assure that these students have no less than the same equal shot at the American dream as their nondisabled peers.”
The guidance clarifies that students with disabilities should not only have access to a free appropriate public education, but also they should have individualized education programs (IEPs) that are aligned with state academic content standards for the grade in which a child is enrolled. This will help to ensure that all students receive high-quality instruction that prepares them for success in college and careers.
In addition to the guidance, the Department also is sharing resources for parents and educators aimed at helping students with disabilities succeed in school careers and life:
- Website Featuring Best Practices from the Field – The Department created a new website to house resources developed by its grantees on effective IEPs, instructional practices, assessments, student engagement, school climate, home and school partnerships, and post-school transition.
- Classroom Strategies for Teachers – The Department compiled tips for teachers with evidence-based, positive, proactive and responsive classroom behavior intervention and support strategies. The techniques are aimed at helping capitalize on instructional time and decrease disruptions.
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) Implementation Blueprint for Educators – The National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports prepared a new two-part blueprint on teaching behavioral expectations throughout schools.
- Tip Sheets for Parent – The tip sheets developed by the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition in collaboration with the Center for Parent Information and Resources are meant to help children with disabilities successfully reach adulthood. The tip sheets include information on financial management, healthcare and independent living.
President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) into law on Nov. 29, 1975. At the time, an estimated one million children with disabilities were excluded from public schools and were thus separate from their nondisabled peers. Four decades later, most students with disabilities are educated alongside nondisabled students in regular classrooms.
For more information about IDEA and the work of the Department’s Office of Special Education Programs, click here.