Pennsylvania has the highest level rating under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | 2012

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Pennsylvania has met the highest level rating possible This is the fifth time in six years the state has received this rating.

Pennsylvania is the only large state to achieve the “meets requirements” status for five of the past six years as well as being one of 14 states to receive this determination this year.

In a separate report, the Center for Civil Rights Remedies stated that students with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be suspended from school as nondisabled children, with the highest rates among black children with disabilities.

In 10 states, more than a quarter of black students with disabilities were suspended in 2009-10. Pennsylvania was not one of those 10 states.

In Illinois, the rate was close to 42 percent.

This is a disturbing pattern because students with disabilities are supposed to be getting additional support and counseling. Yes, teachers struggle to deal with students who may be disruptive. But plans must be in place to deal with behavioral issues up front to reduce suspensions.

Mandatory disciplinary actions that remove a child from his classroom cause more harm than good. Advocates for disabled students suggest that school districts with high suspension rates might be able to learn from those that did not often resort to suspensions. Viable alternatives exist. Disabled children have a right to be educated.

'Daily American' article August 10, 2012
http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2012-08-10/opinion/33143299_1_disabled-children-disabilities-education-act-advocates-for-disabled-students

For The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)website:
http://idea.ed.gov/