Federal education officials are looking to reshape the way they
evaluate each state’s compliance with special education law to
put a heavier focus on student performance. A small change
tucked inside a government spending bill this month may have big
implications for special education. For the first time, federal
officials are telling school districts that they must offer
students with disabilities equal access to school sports.
Whether or not a child with developmental delays qualifies for
early intervention varies dramatically from one state to the
next, but often far more kids are eligible than can be served.
Typically parents are proud to see their child earning 90s and
100s at school, but a Georgia father whose son has severe
disabilities says the scores are cause for concern. Graduation
rates for students enrolled in special education are on the rise
as fewer kids with disabilities drop out of school. School
districts should reimburse parents for independent educational
evaluations of students with disa