NCLB May Help Students with Disabilities

A recent report indicates that students with disabilities are doing better in school than in prior years, but it is difficult to link this directly to the No Child Left Behind Act.

The National Council on Disability issued a progress report of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at their quarterly board meeting.

In their report, the NCD stated that students with disabilities seem to be performing better academically, graduating with diplomas or certificates at higher rates, and dropping out of school at lower rates than in previous studies. However, they did express continued concern about dropout rates among students with disabilities, which remain relatively high.

Researchers were unable to link the improved outcomes for these students to NCLB directly, stating it was too early to tell what kind of impact NCLB actually had. However, they indicated that the most important effect of the legislation for students with disabilities could be that they are no longer ignored and teachers and other leaders are learning what these children need and what they can achieve.