Debunking Myths about Students with Disabilities

National Association of State Boards of Education. 2121 Crystal Drive Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 800-368-5023; Tel: 703-684-4000; Fax: 703-836-2313; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://www.nasbe.org/category/the-standard/

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4

Students with Disabilities; Attitudes toward Disabilities; Misconceptions; Student Rights; Advocacy; Equal Education; Civil Rights; Compliance (Legal); Student Needs; Educational Policy; Educational Legislation; Educational Quality; Federal Legislation; Benchmarking; Diversity; Court Litigation; Individualized Education Programs

Education for All Handicapped Children Act; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; Endrew F v Douglas County School District

1540-8000

When education initiatives set out to help those who have been "historically disadvantaged or historically marginalized," they perfectly describe students with disabilities. Yet too often, these students have been excluded from conversations about equity in education. Congress opened public school doors for millions of children with disabilities through the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), not only guarantees the rights of students with disabilities to attend a public school but also promises a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Yet 46 years later, families and advocates are still fighting for its full implementation and enforcement. There is much progress to celebrate over the past 50 years, but the United States and its schools have far to go before equity is a reality for all students. In this article, Karla Phillips-Krivickas asserts that what began as an exercise in civil rights compliance decades ago must transform into a genuine commitment to prepare students of all abilities for college and careers. Deliberate, strategic leadership from state education leaders can ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are taken into account on every issue and in every policy decision.

ERIC

2022

EJ1344755