I have a 97 Escort LX 2.0 5 speed that when I come to a stop and push in the clutch it stays at the rpm's that it was at when I pushed in the clutch until I come to a complete stop. It also does not idle down between shifts and this sounds like IAC valve to me, but because of the cost of this item I thought I would check here first to confirm that.

Try removing and cleaning the IAC and maybe the throtte body to see if it improves first.

Sounds like IAC to me... as suggested, try cleaning it up a bit before replacing it.

I have cleaned both the throttle body and the IAC, but I have also read somewhere that the IAC is an electronic device and that cleaning it really doesn't do anything for it. Is it worth it to pay almost double for a Motorcraft IAC versus half for a Wells one from AutoZone???

I replaced my IAC with Auto ZOne Part back in '03... no trouble with it yet.