DINF Web Posted on December 15, 1997

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1995

Our proposals are based on six key principles that clearly define our mission to improve the achievement of students with disabilities, beginning as early as possible in the child's life.

• Align IDEA with State and local education improvement efforts so students with disabilities can benefit from them.

• Improve results for students with disabilities through higher expectations and meaningful access to the general curriculum, to the maximum extent appropriate.

• Address individual needs in the least restrictive environment for the student.

• Provide families and teachers--those closest to students--with the knowledge and training to effectively support students' learning.

• Focus on teaching and learning.

• Strengthen early intervention to help ensure that every child starts school ready to learn.

The pages that follow suggest improvements to IDEA that will be critical to achieving each of these principles. Both the six principles and the proposed amendments reflect extended and in-depth consultations with a range of organizations and individuals committed to improving results for students with disabilities, as well as a serious and comprehensive review of the more than 3,000 suggestions generated by a Federal Register notice requesting comment on IDEA reauthorization.

These amendments mark the first substantial revisions to this law since Congress enacted P.L. 94-142, the basis of IDEA, in 1975. Building on two decades of research and experience, they include carefully selected improvements in Part B and Part H of IDEA as well as substantial redesign of Parts C through G. These amendments will strengthen the law by making it more effective in meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families--and in no way will diminish the opportunities and safeguards guaranteed in IDEA.

Families of children with disabilities stand on the brink of an exciting era--and have an opportunity to take giant steps to help their children realize lives of independence and fulfillment. The combined efforts of families, educators, and advocates working together for the past 20 years are beginning to result in students leaving the school system better equipped to live and to work in their communities. However, much work still remains to be done.

| Top |