This brief presents an overview of findings from a U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) study that investigated how the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) affected the ability of schools to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning. A study surveyed 272 public middle and high school principals regarding the discipline of students who were and were not receiving special education services. In addition, the GAO conducted site visits and interviews with principals in Louisiana, New York, and Wisconsin. Findings from the study indicate: (1) about 81 percent of the schools reported one or more incidents of serious misconduct in the 1999-2000 school year, most of the incidents were acts of violent behavior; (2) the number of incidents of serious misconduct was greater among students not receiving special education services, however, students receiving such services had a higher rate of serious misconduct; (3) 86 percent of principals reported that their local policies provide more protections than the federal IDEA discipline policy for students receiving special education services who engage in serious misconduct; and (4) principals generally viewed discipline policies for students receiving special education services favorably or neutrally. (CR)