According to the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004, what is a requirement for schools in teaching students with disabilities?

The requirement that teachers must be highly qualified is crucial under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004. This emphasis ensures that students with disabilities receive the best possible instruction from educators who have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach this population. Highly qualified teachers are defined as those who have at least a bachelor's degree, have obtained full state certification, and have demonstrated competency in their subject areas. This requirement is vital as it aims to improve the quality of education for students with disabilities, allowing them access to meaningful instruction tailored to their needs.

In contrast, while educating students in their native language is important for language acquisition and comprehension, it is not a specific requirement set forth by IDEIA. The notion of showing a significant achievement gap is not mandated by the act as a condition for providing education. Although annual reviews of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are mandated by IDEIA, stating that IEPs must be reviewed annually does not directly identify a requirement for teaching credentials or qualifications of educators. Hence, the focus on highly qualified teachers aligns well with the goal of providing effective education for students with disabilities.