What law emphasizes that students with disabilities should be included in standardized assessments?

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) emphasizes the inclusion of students with disabilities in standardized assessments as part of its mandate to ensure that all students, regardless of their individual challenges, are held to high academic standards. This legislation was designed to promote accountability in education and aimed to close achievement gaps by requiring schools to demonstrate that all students, including those with disabilities, are making adequate yearly progress measured through standardized testing.

Specifically, NCLB stipulated that schools must include students with disabilities in the general education accountability system, ensuring that their performance is measured alongside their peers. This inclusion is critical in identifying areas where additional support may be needed and in fostering equitable educational opportunities for all learners.

In contrast, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) focuses on providing special education and related services to eligible children, it doesn’t explicitly emphasize participation in standardized assessments. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) primarily addresses anti-discrimination and equal access in various public settings, including education, but does not specifically target assessment inclusion. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which succeeded NCLB, continues the trend of accountability and assessment inclusion but builds on the foundational work set by NCLB rather than originating it.