Reauthorized IDEA Could Shift Power to School Districts

Overview & Synopsis

The first overhaul of the nation's main special education law in seven years is getting guarded approval from education officials and advocacy groups. As they analyzed the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, many people in the field said the bill appears to give school districts a stronger hand in special education disputes. Although they identified provisions they would change, most analysts said the measure is an adequate compromise between Senate and House versions. President George W. Bush has said he looks forward to signing the bill, though a date has not been set. The measure, which breezed through both houses of Congress on November 19, 2004, would provide the education framework for 6.7 million students with disabilities nationwide. It would bring several important changes to special education, including the areas of student discipline, teacher qualifications, paperwork requirements, and the complaint process.