Individual With Disabilities Education Act: Standards Needed to Improve Identification of Racial and Ethnic Overrepresentation in Special Education.

摘要

Concerned that certain racial and ethnic groups were overrepresented in special education, Congress in the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA required that school districts take certain actions to address this problem. Specifically, districts identified with 'significant disproportionality' based on race and ethnicity must spend 15 percent of their IDEA funds to provide early intervening services to school age children who need additional academic and behavioral support. GAO was asked to review these early intervening services. GAO examined (1) the numbers and characteristics of districts that provide services and how states determine which districts are required to provide services; (2) the types of services provided; and (3) oversight by the Department of Education and states. GAO analyzed data on early intervening services for school years 2009-10 and 2010-11; reviewed 16 states' methods for identifying districts required to provide services that included review of states that did and did not require districts to provide services; visited state educational agencies and school districts in 4 states; and interviewed Education and state officials.