States will need to follow stricter criteria when it comes to how their schools educate special-needs students. Under the Obama Administration's new criteria, the number of states that currently meet these requirements has dropped from 41 to 18. 

Maryland, according to The Washington Post, has been out of compliance for the past eight years; Virginia meets the demands as it did last year under the old system. The system reflects the 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires public schools to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. 

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in regard to state performance, his department will now look at how well special education students do on standardized tests, the gap between special-needs students and students without disabilities, and other measures. 

"Every child, regardless of income, race, background, or disability can succeed if provided the opportunity to learn," said Duncan. "We know that when students with disabilities are held in high expectations and have access to the general curriculm in the regular classroom, they excel. We must be honest about student performance, so that we can give all students the supports and services they need to succeed."

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Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor