How does the IDEA help children with disabilities reach higher levels of achievement?
The 1997 act aims to strengthen academic expectations and accountability for the nations 5.4 million children with disabilities and to bridge the gap between what children with disabilities learn and what their non-disabled peers learn. From now on, the Individualized Education Program (IEP)the plan that spells out the educational goals for each child and the services he or she will receive for his or her educationmust relate more clearly to the general curriculum that children in regular classrooms receive. The law also requires making regular progress reports to parents, including children with disabilities in state and district assessments, and setting and reporting on performance goals just as is done for nondisabled children.
