NCD Says NCLB and IDEA Having Positive Impact

From the National Council on Disability (NCD):

NEWS RELEASE

NCD #08–552
January 28, 2008
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004

National Council on Disability Says No Child Left Behind
and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Having Positive Impact

NEW ORLEANS, LA—The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a report analyzing the progress of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that says students with disabilities are no longer ignored. To that end, NCLB and IDEA have had a significant, positive impact.

According to NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn, “Thanks to NCLB, with its push for improved student outcomes, as well as the IDEA, educators across the United States are reexamining their practices to find ways to close the achievement gaps between groups of students. Students with disabilities are a focus of this attention as schools and states work hard to improve their academic outcomes. Policymakers are studying the ongoing implementation of both NCLB and IDEA to determine the most effective means for serving students with disabilities.”

NCD commissioned this study entitled The No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: A Progress Report, to assist policy leaders and stakeholders in assessing the impact of NCLB and IDEA on schools, including student outcomes produced as a result of changes mandated in the laws. This report provides a detailed analysis of such key questions as (a) How has student achievement status changed since the laws were (re)authorized? (b) What impact have the laws had on assessment systems, accountability systems, and systems of personnel development? and (c) Which barriers are impeding the achievement of students with disabilities, and how can those barriers be overcome?

“In our evaluation of NCLB and IDEA, students with disabilities appear to be doing better academically, and they also appear to be graduating with diplomas and certificates at higher rates than in prior years. Data suggests, however, that there is still cause for concern about the dropout levels of students with disabilities nationwide...

...Read the rest of the news release.

Comments

[Shirl Elder]

I work with Persons with Developmental Disabilities. My main focus is on their Vocational Goals. Some of the people I work with are interested in getting their GED. Is there a "special" GED for this population? The GED is not easy to pass. The younger folks just out of High School come to us with a Certificate of completing High School but those that left school years ago, now would like to have something. Some employers want to see this also. Any ideas?