Feds: Most States Failing To Meet Special Ed Obligations

[Jefferson23]

By Michelle Diament

July 14, 2015

Federal officials indicate that less than half of states are meeting their obligations under special education law.

The U.S. Department of Education says that just 19 states qualified for the “meets requirements” designation for the 2013-2014 school year. The rest of states were classified as “needs assistance” or “needs intervention.”

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, the Education Department must evaluate states annually on their efforts to implement special education programs.

The ratings carry significant weight. If a state fails to meet requirements for two or more years, the Department of Education must take enforcement action, which can include a corrective action plan or withholding funds, among other steps.

This is the second year that the Education Department has relied on stricter measures to assess compliance.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/07/14/feds-states-failing/20436/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Oddly enough, by the list at the bottom of the linked article, those that 'meet requirements' are

a mix of red and blue states, not just all blue states as one might suspect.

[Jefferson23]

2. I wondered if by state we see differences and some doing better due to parent

advocates and by the nature of disabilities those affected are also within families of the body
politic in red states?

When it hits home, they may yield better results.