A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

To Assure the Free Appropriate Public Education of All Children with Disabilities - 1996

Summary and Implications

Significant progress has been made in achieving the full participation of students with disabilities in their schools and communities since the passage of IDEA. IDEA has dramatically improved results for students with disabilities. Levels of education and employment rates are higher, and students with disabilities are acquiring social skills. State-reported data show that students with disabilities are being served in less restrictive placements. However, as shown by the experience of the States that received OSEP system change grants, achieving full participation of students with disabilities in their schools and communities is an incremental process, not a sudden singular event. Furthermore, promoting full participation does not take place in a vacuum. Context, history, and values are critical to the form and shape any change eventually takes. Because of the complexity of the educational system, fiscal policy, organizational structures, advocacy, preservice and inservice training, curriculum and instruction, monitoring, and evaluation are critical elements in promoting full participation for students with disabilities in their schools and communities. OSEP will continue to work in partnership with State and local educational agencies to achieve this goal.

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[Statewide Systems Change for Students with Severe Disabilities] [Table of Contents] [Chapter 4]