The 24 member Commission on Excellence in Special Education, created by President Bush in October of 2001, released a final report detailing the status of special education in the United States. The commission report also includes recommendations for reforms to the special education system spelled out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), due for reauthorization by Congress this fall.

The report details nine major findings and offers three recommendations for reforms in Special Education. The report echoes, language and in recommendations, much of the President's No Child Left Behind Act passed earlier this year. Calls for better performance assessment tools, changes in teacher preparation, and in teaching methodology are all included in the general recommendations.

The report, A New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and Their Families, can be downloaded from College of Education web site as a PDF document.