March 3, 1999
|
FOR RELEASE:
Immediately |
|
CONTACT:
Janet Bass (202)
879-4554 |
Statement by Sandra
Feldman
President, American Federation of Teachers
On: Supreme
Court Decision Requiring Schools to Pay for Nurses for Seriously
Disabled Students
The Supreme Court ruled that all-day nursing care for
seriously disabled public school students must be funded under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. IDEA is a grossly
underfunded federally mandated program. Unless Congress acts to provide
adequate funding, it is inconceivable that districts can shoulder the
additional cost of providing the care necessary to allow seriously
disabled students to attend public schools.
# # # #
The
American Federation of Teachers represents more than one million
teachers, school support staff, higher education faculty and staff,
health care professionals, and state and municipal
employees.
