(Public Law 111-256) 

On October 5, 2010, President Obama signed legislation requiring the federal government to replace the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in many areas of government. The measure known as Rosa’s Law, will strip the terms “mental retardation” and” mentally retarded” from federal health, education and labor policy. “Intellectual disability’ or “individual with an intellectual disability” will be inserted in their places. The rights of individuals with disabilities will  remain the same. District staff are now using the new terminology when discussing future and current student eligibility for special education. We are very excited about this change as it reflects the rights and dignity all students deserve.