The document discusses education and the law regarding closing the academic achievement gap for students with disabilities. It notes that the No Child Left Behind Act mandated states attempt to close this gap in 2001. It also states that children with disabilities have scored lower on standardized tests and in order to bridge this gap, the general education curriculum must be examined. All children need opportunities to develop skills to find academic success in the general education curriculum. Since reading is fundamental, children with disabilities require targeted and effective reading instruction that addresses their core weaknesses.

1. Education and the law In 2001, the Federal Government mandated that states attempt to close the academic achievement gap, also known as No Child Left Behind Act. Children with disabilities have scored among the low achiever for academic success when administered standardized tests. In order to bridge this gap, we must first look at the general education curriculum.(1) All children must be given the opportunity to develop skills required to be academically successful within the general education curriculum. Since reading is the foundation skill for all learning , it is essential that children with disabilities receive targeted and effective instruction that addresses their core weaknesses in reading (Lloyd, 2005). The Access Center improving Outcomes for All students k-8