For the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Virginia its highest rating for improving outcomes for students with disabilities and for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

According to a press release, Virginia received a “Meets Requirements” designation on the federal department’s 2017 IDEA report card.

“The commonwealth earned the maximum number of possible points on all 10 compliance indicators — including in categories related to the identification of minority students for special education services and disciplinary actions — and on seven of the 14 performance-related indicators,” officials said in the press release. “The 2017 IDEA report cards are based on data from the 2014-15 school year.

“This is recognition of the individual efforts of thousands of teachers, principals and support staff in our public schools who provide the instruction and the services Virginia students with disabilities need to achieve and thrive,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said.

According to the release, the annual federal IDEA report card scores each state on compliance with the law, participation and performance of students with disabilities in state and national tests in reading and mathematics, and on success in improving the graduation rate of special education students.