Virginia Schools Earn Top Federal Rating for Serving Students with Disabilities

Virginia’s public education system received a pat on the back from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), according to a release out of Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office.

The USDE reported Virginia’s public schools registered the nation’s highest overall rating and second-highest score for serving students with disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“In every school division in the Commonwealth, there are special educators who are committed to preparing all students to succeed,” Governor McAuliffe said in the release. “These accomplishments are the result of their efforts, as well as successful partnerships between the state and localities in developing innovative programs to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.”

The federal education department scores and rates states each year based on the participation and performance of students with disabilities in state and national assessment programs. States are also evaluated on the progress they show in narrowing achievement gaps and improving graduation rates among students with disabilities.

Virginia earned the maximum possible points on 13 of the 14 indicators, achieving a total score of 95.83 from the USDE. Virginia is also one of 21 states and territories earning a “Meets Requirements” designation, the highest overall rating on the 2015 IDEA report card.

The lone indicator in which Virginia fell short of the maximum possible points was an indicator that rates states on percentage of students with disabilities who graduate with what the federal education department considers a “regular” diploma, which, in Virginia, includes the Standard Diploma and the Advanced Studies Diploma.

However, Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said in the release that that can be chalked up to the high standards the state sets for its graduates.

“The state Board of Education’s rigorous diploma standards put the Commonwealth at a disadvantage compared with states that do not set as high a bar,” Staples said. “We will address this challenge by maintaining high standards for all students while making sure that students with disabilities are able to take advantage of appropriate alternative assessments and accommodations as they work toward meeting their diploma requirements.”

The 2015 IDEA state report cards are based on data from the 2012-2013 school year.