SPECIAL EDITION: THE SPECIAL ED ADVOCATE, JANUARY 23, 2000 

IDEA COMPLIANCE REPORT: “DISABLED KIDS OFTEN SEGREGATED, GET 
‘SUBSTANDARD SCHOOLING’”

In the October 11, 1999 issue of The Special Ed Advocate, we asked: 

DID YOUR STATE PASS THE IDEA COMPLIANCE TEST?

http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/nwltr/1999/nl_99_1011.html

We explained that your state Department of Education has many responsibilities under 
IDEA. 

The state Department of Education is responsible for supervising local school districts. 

Your state education department should have a comprehensive system of personnel 
development that is designed to ensure that there is an adequate supply of properly 
trained teachers. 

Your state should have policies and procedures that ensure that all children with 
disabilities receive a free appropriate education. 

Your state is responsible for implementing a comprehensive Child Find Program where 
all children with disabilities (including children who attend private schools) are 
identified, located and evaluated. 

On November 23, 1999, we reported that the IDEA Compliance Report had been 
delayed.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/news/1999/IDEA_Compliance_Report_Delayed_991123.ht
ml

The IDEA Compliance Report is scheduled for release on January 25, 2000.

AP NEWS: "STATES IGNORE SPECIAL ED LAW" 

On January 23, at 6:30 p.m., the Associated Press published "STUDY: STATES 
IGNORE SPECIAL ED LAW." The article by AP Writer Karen Gullo is based on an 
advance copy of the IDEA Compliance Report obtained by the Associated Press. 

According to "STATES IGNORE SPECIAL ED LAW:" 

"Many children with disabilities are getting substandard schooling because states are not 
complying with federal rules on special education . . ." 

"In too many cases, children with disabilities are taught in separate classrooms and 
schools are not following other regulations meant to protect these students from 
discrimination." 

Because the U. S. Department of Education hasn’t required states to comply with the law, 
"parents often must sue to enforce the law . . ." 

The National Council on Disability found that: 

"Nearly 6 million American children receive special education instruction and services at 
a cost of almost $40 billion, about $5.7 billion of which is federal money." 

"Federal efforts to enforce the law over several administrations have been inconsistent, 
ineffective and lacking any real teeth . . ." 

MOST STATES FAIL 

After examining compliance reports from 1994 to 1998, the National Council on 
Disability concluded that: 

* “36 states failed to ensure that children with disabilities are not segregated from regular 
classrooms.”

* “44 states failed to follow rules requiring schools to help students find jobs or continue 
their education.”

* “45 states failed to ensure that local school authorities adhered to nondiscrimination 
laws.” 

The Council concluded that special education will not fulfill its mission until states are 
required to comply with the law. 

The Associated Press reports, "The council made dozens of recommendations to 
strengthen federal enforcement. They include giving the Justice Department independent 
authority to investigate cases and take states to court; providing more money for 
enforcement and handling of complaints; and creating a process for handling complaints 
at the federal level." 

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For an easy-to-read, printer- friendly copy of this article, go to -- 

http://www.wrightslaw.com/news/2000/IDEA_Compliance_Rpt_00_0123.htm

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http://www.wrightslaw.com/mainpage_what_new.htm

Read the full AP article at the Washington Post web site -- 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20000123/aponline182948_000.htm

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Pete and Pam Wright
c/o The Special Ed Advocate
P. O. Box 1008
Deltaville, VA 23043
Phone: 804-257-0857

Website: http://www.wrightslaw.com
Email: webmaster@wrightslaw.com

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Copyright 2000, Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright. All rights reserved.

END