More Resources Annual IDEA Implementation Report

Children with disabilities who receive early intervention services show significant developmental progress a year later, and families report increased confidence in their ability to deal with their child, according to the Department of Education's 24th annual report to Congress on the condition of special education.

The report, "To Assure the Free Appropriate Public Education of All Children with Disabilities," cites several sources, including the department's ongoing National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS). NEILS tracks 3,338 infants and toddlers with disabilities who received early intervention services.

A year into the services, "significantly high" percentages of the children had reached milestones in areas of motor skills, self-help, communication and cognition, the report found.

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide early intervention services to children with disabilities from birth through age 2. Early intervention can include speech and hearing services, family training and counseling, home visits, diagnostic medical services, occupational or physical therapy, social and psychological services and service coordination. More than 268,000 children receive early intervention services.

"This is yet another confirmation that the earlier we identify children with disabilities and provide highly effective evidence-based interventions, the better chance they have of reaching their full potential," said Robert Pasternack, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services.

The annual report to Congress has become a benchmark in conveying the progress being made in serving America's 6.5 million children with disabilities. The report is available at www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2002.

President Bush has requested $9.5 billion in grants to states for special education in his FY 2004 budget request -- the highest level of federal educational support ever for children with disabilities and a $3.2 billion or 50 percent increase since he took office.

Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as IDEA, in 1975. The law guarantees the entitlement of a "free appropriate public education" to the nation's children and youth with disabilities.

Additional copies may be ordered online at www.ed.gov/about/ordering.jsp, by phone at 1-877-4-ED-PUBS, by fax at 1-301-470-1244 or by writing ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, Md. 20794-1398.

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