Special
Education Reform
Implementing
the 2004 Reforms to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
On
December 3, 2004
, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act into law and ushered in a new era of special education
reforms focused on results for students. The new law builds on the
No Child Left Behind Act, which for the first time made clear that all
students – including students with disabilities – deserve a high
quality education. Under
NCLB, states and schools for the first time ever are accountable for
ensuring students with disabilities are getting educational results.
The new special education reform law will help make that goal a
reality for parents, students, and teachers.
Republicans in Congress worked with parents,
teachers, and schools to produce special education reforms that will:
make special education stronger for students and parents; ensure school
safety and reasonable discipline; reduce unnecessary lawsuits and
litigation; support teachers and schools; and reform special education
funding and build on historic funding increases. In the 109th
Congress, the Education & the Workforce Committee will ensure these
reforms are implemented to produce a stronger special education system
for students, parents, and schools.
Issue
Brief: Improving
Educational Results for Students with Disabilities
