HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--INTRODUCTION -- HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING (Extensions of Remarks - April 13, 1999)

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HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1999

Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I come to the Floor this afternoon to introduce a House Concurrent Resolution to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The co-sponsors and I believe that the federal government cannot continue to ignore the commitment it made over 24 years ago to children with disabilities.

In 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, commonly known as P.L. 94-142. The Act established the federal commitment to provide funding at 40% of the average per pupil expenditure to assist with the excess costs of educating students with disabilities.

Since 1995, upon Republican insistence, funding for IDEA has risen over 85%. With this increase in funding, IDEA is now funded at 12% of the average per pupil expenditure--much higher than the 7% of 5 years ago. We must continue to increase funding to reach the 40% of the average pupil expenditure funding level mandated in law. Without these federal IDEA funds, local school districts must cover the unpaid federal share.

President Clinton proposes to level fund IDEA for FY2000. Considering that the number of children with disabilities is projected to increase by 123,000 from 1999 to 2000, the President's budget request actually cuts funding for children with disabilities from $702 per child in FY1999 to $688 per child in FY2000.

Congress must ensure that the Federal government lives up to the promises it made to the students, parents, and schools over two decades ago. We must fully fund IDEA before Washington creates new education programs.

Once the Federal government begins to pay its fair share under IDEA, local funds will be freed up, allowing local schools to hire and train high-quality teachers, reduce class size, build and renovate classrooms, and invest in technology.

The resolution I introduce today urges Congress to fully fund IDEA while maintaining its commitment to existing federal education programs. We can both ensure that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education and ensure that all children have the best education possible if we just provide fair federal funding for special education.

I urge everyone to support this important resolution. Congress must fulfill its commitment to assist States and localities with educating children with disabilities.
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