Advocating for African American families with children who learn differently.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004 Reauthorization)
IDEA 2004, originally the Education of All Handicapped Children Act, is one of the most important civil rights laws ever written. It was enacted over 25 years ago and has been amended several times. Unfortunately, there are reports of widespread noncompliance by the majority of states. Recommendations have been made to the President and Congress urging full implementation and enforcement of the law but the wheels of progress move slowly.
Many schools are ill equipped to teach children who learn differently. Teachers are often misinformed or sent mixed messages regarding compliance with the law. In fact, a nationwide poll conducted in recent years indicates that four out of five teachers lack confidence in their ability to teach students with special needs. This means that families of children with learning disabilities must educate themselves about learning differences.
Congress reviews the special education federal law approximately every five years. The latest version signed into law in late 2004 included provisions that require states to keep track of how many minority-group members are in special education classes and to provide "comprehensive, coordinated, early intervention programs" for children in groups deemed to be overrepresented. Districts must also make public what they are doing to address the problem.
