Chapter 2: Identification and Assessment Tools for Young Children

Derrick Bell (1992), the father of critical race theory, explored the intersection of race, law, power, ill-effects on disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed people in the society (Abdul-Jabbar, 2016; Coates, 2015; Hatcher, 2016; Kozol, 1991; Obiakor, Harris-Obiakor, & Smith, 2002). Sadly, young children are one of the most vulnerable groups, coupled with the inability to solely advocate for themselves. As a result, though many laws are proposed, created and enacted, we have yet to see sustained success on a mass level for all school-age children.

In the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services report in 2010, the U.S. Department of Education proudly asserts that there has been progress in how schools viewed, educated, and treated students with recognized disabilities since 1975 with the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA); Public Law 94-142. This law helped to end certain forms of discrimination as this law allowed all children, specifically those with disabilities, to receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE). This was monumental in the educational world, as it provided financial aid, proper educational assistance and protection for children and parents. In 1990, Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was revised to make this law more robust: (a) Birth–2 for families and 3–21 component for school aged ready children; (b) in conjunction with the FAPE, it was documented that this should be performed in the least restrictive environment (LRE); (c) creation of individualized education plans (IEP) were formed to create a measure to record concrete goals and measure the effectiveness of interventions designed to help the child increase academic and behavior skills; and (d) ensure financial viability with federal assistance to help sustain current programs and search out innovative techniques to continually employ the best options to maintain success for all children. Seven years later, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA, 2004) was passed and beefed up to provide special education to children with disabilities.