118 STAT. 2784 PUBLIC LAW 108–446—DEC. 3, 2004 achievement of, children with disabilities to enable the children to reach challenging developmental goals and chal lenging State academic content standards based on State academic assessments; ‘‘(B) the types of programs and services that have demonstrated the greatest likelihood of helping students reach the challenging State academic content standards and developmental goals; ‘‘(C) the implementation of the professional develop ment activities assisted under this title and the impact on instruction, student academic achievement, and teacher qualifications to enhance the ability of special education teachers and regular education teachers to improve results for children with disabilities; and ‘‘(D) the effectiveness of schools, local educational agen cies, States, other recipients of assistance under this title, and the Secretary in achieving the purposes of this title by— ‘‘(i) improving the academic achievement of chil dren with disabilities and their performance on regular statewide assessments as compared to nondisabled children, and the performance of children with disabil ities on alternate assessments; ‘‘(ii) improving the participation of children with disabilities in the general education curriculum; ‘‘(iii) improving the transitions of children with disabilities at natural transition points; ‘‘(iv) placing and serving children with disabilities, including minority children, in the least restrictive environment appropriate; ‘‘(v) preventing children with disabilities, especially children with emotional disturbances and specific learning disabilities, from dropping out of school; ‘‘(vi) addressing the reading and literacy needs of children with disabilities; ‘‘(vii) reducing the inappropriate overidentification of children, especially minority and limited English proficient children, as having a disability; ‘‘(viii) improving the participation of parents of children with disabilities in the education of their chil dren; and ‘‘(ix) resolving disagreements between education personnel and parents through alternate dispute reso lution activities, including mediation. ‘‘(3) INTERIM AND FINAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall submit to the President and Congress— ‘‘(A) an interim report that summarizes the preliminary findings of the assessment not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004; and ‘‘(B) a final report of the findings of the assessment not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of such Act. ‘‘(c) STUDY ON ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE HELD TO ALTERNATIVE ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS.—The Sec retary shall carry out a national study or studies to examine— ‘‘(1) the criteria that States use to determine—
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