What does accountability in special education primarily refer to?

Accountability in special education primarily refers to the responsibility for ensuring that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented effectively. This encompasses a range of duties, including meeting the specific educational needs of students with disabilities as outlined in their IEPs, monitoring progress, and making adjustments to instruction or support as necessary.

This focus on IEP implementation ensures that students receive the services and supports they require to make meaningful progress in their education, thereby fulfilling the intent of special education legislation. Having a structured accountability system helps teachers and administrators assess whether educational strategies are working and supports a framework for continuous improvement in special education services.

While responsibility for student behavior, legal compliance, and resource allocation are important aspects of special education, they do not capture the core of what accountability emphasizes within the context of ensuring that individualized programs are carried out as intended.