INTRODUCTION OF THE IDEA 25TH ANNIVERSARY RESOLUTION -- HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING (Extensions of Remarks - September 13, 2000)

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HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, September 13, 2000

Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce a resolution that recognizes and honors the 25th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Congress first authorized IDEA in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142). Since 1975, Congress has refined and improved the law several times. In 1990 the statute was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. As most everyone knows, this act assists states and local school districts with the excess costs of educating students with disabilities.

IDEA has ensured greater access to education for all students with disabilities. Not only has access to education improved, so has quality. Students with disabilities are increasingly completing their high school education and embarking on post-secondary education.

I believe strongly in the goal of IDEA--that every child should have the opportunity to receive a quality education. I know that teachers and school administrators also support this goal. However, I understand that schools need additional funds to make this goal a reality. To this end, I have been persistent in fighting for increased funding for IDEA during my years in Congress.

From the time the Republicans took control of Congress in 1995, we have seen the most dramatic increases in the federal funding for IDEA since its creation. Our work has paid off. The federal share of funding for IDEA has risen from roughly seven percent of the national average per pupil expenditure to 13 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure. I am proud of our efforts.

Of course, I realize that we still have a long way to go to reach the federal government's promise to provide funding to states and local schools in the amount of 40 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure. While I will not be in Congress next year to push for increased funding, I know there are many members who will continue this fight.

Over three years ago, Congress passed the IDEA Amendments of 1997, which brought many improvements to the education that children with disabilities receive. These amendments focused the law on the education a child is to receive rather than upon process and bureaucracy, gave parents greater input in determining the best education for their child, and gave teachers the tools they need to teach all children well. For instance, under these amendments the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed with the general curriculum in mind, and students with disabilities are taking district and state-wide assessments in greater numbers. The 1997 amendments also decreased the amount of paperwork required of teachers so that now they will have more time to spend with students.

I am pleased with the progress that has been made in recent years and it is appropriate that on the 25th anniversary of the passage of P.L. 94-142 we recognize the many accomplishments brought about by IDEA. IDEA has continually been refined to better serve students, parents, teachers, and schools. To continue these successes, we must continue our support for IDEA and the students it serves. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
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