PUBLIC LAW 105-17-JUNE 4, 1997 111 STAT. 67 in meeting the requirements of this part to be used to assist in the provision of special education and related services to children with disabilities under this part. "(C) POLICY.— In implementing this paragraph, a State may adopt a policy that includes a requirement that local educational agencies in the State make an ongoing goodfaith effort to recruit and hire appropriately and adequately trained personnel to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities, including, in a geographic area of the State where there is a shortage of such personnel, the most qualified individuals available who are making satisfactory progress toward completing applicable course work necessary to meet the standards described in subparagraph (B)(i), consistent with State law, and the steps described in subparagraph (B)(ii) within three years. "(16) PERFORMANCE GOALS AND INDICATORS.— The State— "(A) has established goals for the performance of children with disabilities in the State that— "(i) will promote the purposes of this Act, as stated in section 601(d); and "(ii) are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State; "(B) has established performance indicators the State will use to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates; "(C) will, every two years, report to the Secretary and Reports, the public on the progress of the State, and of children with disabilities in the State, toward meeting the goals established under subparagraph (A); and "(D) based on its assessment of that progress, will revise its State improvement plan under subpart 1 of part D as may be needed to improve its performance, if the State receives assistance under that subpart. "(17) PARTICIPATION IN ASSESSMENTS.— " (A) IN GENERAL. —Children with disabilities are included in general State and districtwide assessment programs, with appropriate accommodations, where necessary. As appropriate, the State or local educational agency— "(i) develops guidelines for the participation of children with disabilities in alternate assessments for those children who cannot participate in State and districtwide assessment programs; and "(ii) develops and, beginning not later than July 1, 2000, conducts those alternate assessments. "(B) REPORTS.—The State educational agency makes available to the public, and reports to the public with the same frequency and in the same detail as it reports on the assessment of nondisabled children, the following: "(i) The number of children with disabilities participating in regular assessments. "(ii) The number of those children participating in alternate assessments.
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