APTA is committed to preserving the provisions of Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act to ensure that students with disabilities have access to physical therapy services necessary to take full advantage of a free and public education. And we're not alone in this commitment.

APTA is a member of The National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (NASISP), the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services, and other coalitions dedicated to protecting these services in the school setting.

The association also offers a School-Based Physical Therapy Special Interest Group that helps you stay connected with others in the profession who are committed to the ideals behind the IDEA and ESSA.

To understand why advocacy for the ESSA is important, it's helpful to get a sense of just what the law does, and the profession's role in it.