Which of the following was NOT a major change under the 2004 IDEA Act?

• A. transition goals must be written starting at the age of 16
• B. special education teachers must be highly qualified
• C. alternative assessments are included in state accountability
• D. early intervention included systems for students 0 to 3 and 3 to 5

Answer: (D)

IDEA 2004 aimed to strengthen how services are planned and evaluated by focusing on three big areas: transition planning, teacher qualifications, and accountability. The requirement that transition goals be written starting at age 16 represents a clear shift to plan students’ post-school paths. The mandate that special education teachers be “highly qualified” set standards for who can teach, ensuring more consistent expertise. And adding alternative assessments into state accountability allowed states to measure progress for students with disabilities in ways that fit their unique needs.

The statement about early intervention systems for students from 0 to 3 and 3 to 5 does not reflect a new, major change from the 2004 reauthorization. Early intervention already existed for birth to 3 and preschool-aged children, and IDEA 2004 did not introduce a sweeping new overhaul in that area.