Ed. Dept. Evaluates States’ Records on Students With Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education released evaluations this week of each state’s efforts to teach children with disabilities , from infants to secondary school students, giving most middling grades.

The evaluation process is based on data submitted by the states as mandated by the 2004 reauthorization of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . The law attempts to move states away from monitoring compliance with the complex legislation, and toward a focus on educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Most states fell into the two middle categories, “needs assistance” or “needs intervention,” with only nine making the highest grade, “meets the requirements,” for students aged 3 to 21. For infants through 2-year-olds, 15 states and territories met the requirements, with the remaining states and territories ranked as needing assistance or needing intervention. None were...