Part III - Education of Students With Disabilities in the 21st Century:
The new challenge for school communities in the 21st Century is modifying subject content areas in order to provide education
al access for students with disabilities.
The inclusion of students with disabilities in school communities nationwide began with a legal initiative, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), enacted into law by Congress in 1975 (http://specialed.about.com/od/idea/a/IdeaDefined.htm). Two decades later, IDEA has changed school learning communities for students, parents and communities as the increased accountability of academic success for all students becomes the expectation in education. Coupled with the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) law of 1994 (Bush Administration's legislative educational reform in schools), Congress’ enactment of IDEA is now facing the challenges of educating students with disabilities in the 21st century.
Given the advances in global technology, and social reform in today’s business infrastructures, students with disabilities are facing a new challenge of meeting both the education expectations towards graduation and possessing the skills necessary for the workforce or undergraduate education. School and work communities have changed dramatically in the 21st century. The expectations of IDEA continue to relegate accountability for student education that is becoming obsolete in the expectations beyond school communities.
The redesign of special education classrooms and programs for students with disabilities must become the forefront of Congress reform and amendments to IDEA. The challenge for many school communities will remain on how to provide inclusion in the least restrictive environment to meet the federal standards of NCLB mandates for school communities while meeting state academic assessments. Systemic school reform must include professional development for mainstream teachers and administrators in how to create educational access for students limited in educational ability and skill levels. The future of education for millions of students under IDEA remains both challenging and promising on many fronts in school communities.
Read Part I - IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Act) and Special Education Programs and Part II - LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) and Inclusion
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