4 Outcomes of Effective IDEA Implementation—and 7 Steps to Get Started

Every year, on Dec. 2, we celebrate National Special Education Day in honor of that in date in 1975, when President Gerald Ford signed the country’s first federal special education law—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The journey of special education in America is a testament to our nation’s capacity for growth and change. The passage of IDEA marked a seismic shift in our educational paradigm, affirming that all children, regardless of ability, deserve access to a free, high-quality, and appropriate public education.

But the mere existence of a law does not guarantee its effective implementation. As we reflect on nearly five decades of IDEA, we must ask ourselves: Have we truly lived up to the promise of this groundbreaking legislation?

A new federal initiative, the Lead IDEA Center, sets out to provide research-informed professional learning that supports pre-K-12 school leaders as they work to effectively implement IDEA and improve systems serving children with disabilities and their families. The center highlights where schools stand as of 2023:

• In 2023, 15 percent of U.S. public school students received services under IDEA;
• In the past 15 years, only a handful of states have consistently met IDEA requirements, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s state performance plans and annual performance reports.
• In 2023, only six states have met IDEA requirements for Part B each of the past 10 years. Six states improved their ratings, but six states received a lower rating.

When students receiving special education services are given access to specialized instruction, accommodations, and supports that are required by IDEA, 80-85 percent can meet the same achievement standards as other students, according to the National Center for Educational Outcomes.

And while we know is that school leader capacity is pivotal to student success, a RAND report shows that just 12 percent of 3,500 school principals they surveyed felt completely prepared to support the needs of children with disabilities.

The Promise of Progress

In a recent episode of the NAESP Principal Podcast, “An Innovative Approach to Special Education,” Lead IDEA Center director Abigail Foley and co-principal investigators David Bateman and Lynn Holdheide talked about this important topic with Andy Jacks, principal of Ellis Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia. During the discussion, they identified four positive outcomes of effective IDEA implementation.  

1. Inclusive education has a positive ripple effect in society.

When schools prioritize special education, the benefits extend far beyond the immediate recipients. Inclusive classrooms foster empathy, celebrate diversity, and prepare all students for a world that is inherently varied. By creating an environment where students with disabilities are seen as general education students first, schools are not just complying with the law but also shaping a more compassionate and equitable society.

Consider the long-term implications: Students educated in inclusive environments are more likely to become adults who champion diversity in the workplace and in their communities. The ripple effect of prioritizing special education today could lead to a more inclusive society tomorrow.

2. Schools empower students with disabilities—in school and life.

At its core, the effective implementation of IDEA is an ethical issue. It’s about empowering individuals who have historically been marginalized. By focusing on post-secondary success and teaching self-advocacy skills, schools are helping students navigate their school years and equipping them for life.

This shift in perspective—from viewing students with disabilities as recipients of services to seeing them as future leaders and contributors to society—is transformative. It challenges us to set high expectations and to view disabilities as unique perspectives that can enrich our collective experience.

3. Data serves as a powerful ally in effective implementation.

In our quest for more effective IDEA implementation, data emerges as a powerful ally. Schools that embrace a culture of data analysis for all students, including those with disabilities, are better equipped to make informed decisions, set meaningful goals, and track progress.

But data alone isn’t enough. It’s the interpretation and application of this data that truly drives progress, enabling schools to inform interventions, adjust instruction, and measure outcomes.

4. It fosters stronger family-school relationships.  

When families and caregivers are treated as valued team members rather than mere recipients of information, the entire dynamic changes. This collaborative approach honors the unique insights parents bring and creates a more holistic support system for the student.

7 Steps to Move Beyond Compliance

As we reflect on the state of special education and IDEA implementation in our schools, it’s clear that compliance is just the beginning. True progress lies in going beyond the minimum requirements to foster a culture where supporting students with disabilities is not seen as an obligation but instead as an opportunity to enrich our educational communities.

School administrators know that effectively supporting students with disabilities is crucial but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with challenges. Bateman, Foley, Holdheide, and Jacks identified these key steps to ensure students with disabilities thrive in your school.

1. Understand IDEA and Special Education Law: Recognize that special education is defined by law to protect students who were historically excluded and that the goal is to provide appropriate education, not necessarily what’s “best.”
2. Foster a Culture of Inclusion: Promote the view that students with disabilities are general education students first by including these students in all aspects of the school community and social fabric, set high expectations, and avoid viewing disabilities as limitations.
3. Empower and Support Teachers: Provide professional development on supporting students with disabilities, encourage special education teachers to train general education staff to build respect and collaboration, and create protected time for general and special education teachers to plan together.
4. Use Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement a culture of data analysis for all students, including those with disabilities, that looks as both academic data and behavioral data.
5. Involve Families as Valued Team Members: Start IEP meetings by asking family members and caregivers to share about their children.
6. Leverage Available Resources and Support: Connect with organizations like the Lead IDEA Center for guidance, take advantage of special education supervisors and staff as internal experts, and stay current on special education practices through professional organizations like NAESP.
7. Create a Shared Vision and Ownership: Establish a culture where all staff take responsibility for students with disabilities, include special education considerations in all school decisions and planning, and celebrate successes and progress for students with disabilities.

The path forward requires creativity, commitment, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It demands that we see the potential in every student and that we work tirelessly to unlock it. In the end, effective IDEA implementation isn’t just about meeting legal requirements; it’s about unlocking human potential, celebrating diversity, and creating a world where every individual can contribute their unique gifts. And that, perhaps, is the most profound implication of all.

Listen the podcast episode “An Innovative Approach to Special Education” wherever you get your podcast episodes or visit the NAESP Principal Podcast webpage to listen online.

Krysia Gabenski is editorial director at NAESP.