Examining Family Testimonials for the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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| Title: | Examining Family Testimonials for the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Abby Hardy, Kelly Fulton, Julianna Kim, Chak Li (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Disability Policy Studies. 2025 36(2):118-130. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Educational Legislation, Equal Education, Federal Legislation, Students with Disabilities, Family Involvement, Family Attitudes, Special Education, Advocacy, Family Characteristics, Educational Needs, Early Intervention, Federal Aid, Resources, Teacher Competencies, Accountability |
| Geographic Terms: | Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, South Carolina, District of Columbia |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10442073241289082 |
| ISSN: | 1044-2073 1538-4802 |
| Abstract: | In the last reauthorization of the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), families of individuals with disabilities provided less than 4% of the public comments. Given that families are equal partners in the decision-making process for students with disabilities, it is critical to understand their suggestions for IDEA. To this end, we analyzed the testimonials of 65 families of individuals with disabilities. Specifically, after completing a civic engagement program, participants provided video, audio, and/or written testimonials focused on their suggestions for the next IDEA reauthorization. Participants suggested strengthening existing IDEA provisions, increasing federal funding of special education, addressing personnel issues in special education, improving accountability, and increasing family knowledge and empowerment. Participants' suggestions were further analyzed by examining patterns within the data; families of children with (vs. without) autism were significantly more likely to request that the next IDEA reauthorization increases knowledge and empowerment. Implications for future research and policy are discussed. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1479321 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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