What does the Evaluation and Eligibility provision of IDEA 97 clarify?

The Evaluation and Eligibility provision of IDEA 97 clarifies that students cannot be eligible for special education services solely based on poor instruction. This means that if a child is struggling academically, the underlying cause of their difficulties must be determined through a comprehensive evaluation process that rules out issues such as inadequate teaching. This emphasis on proper evaluation ensures that eligibility for special education is based on a child's specific needs rather than the quality of instruction they received. It protects students from being misidentified as needing special education support due to factors that can be addressed without special education interventions, such as a lack of effective teaching methods. The focus is on providing appropriate services based on the individual child's needs rather than labeling them for factors outside their control.