Preparing students with disabilities to succeed in rigorous general education classes and to meet standards as reflected in state outcome assessments is an exceedingly challenging assignment for all teachers and administrators. The READ has been developed to help those who are responsible for providing the highest quality education to students with disabilities. It can be used to build a profile of the special education program currently in place to determine areas of strength and targeted areas for improvement.

The purpose of the READ is to provide a tool for school districts, administrators, directors, and individual teachers to use to enhance the development, implementation, and sustainability of research-based special education programs. The tool can be used to profile instructional programs for students with disabilities who are expected to earn standard high school diplomas in their district.

The READ allows school personnel to analyze their special education programs in five main areas:

1. Program design

2. Staff skills

3. Basic learning skills

4. Advanced learning skills

5. Independent adult skills