[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF THE IDEA FULL FUNDING ACT

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                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the IDEA Full 
Funding Act of 2000 which will set us on the course of reaching the 
commitment the U.S. Congress made 24 years ago to children and families 
with special education needs. That commitment was to provide children 
with disabilities access to a quality public education and contribute 
40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure to assist States and 
local school districts with the excess costs of educating such 
children.
  Unfortunately, we have failed to fully meet this commitment. 
Nevertheless, over the past four fiscal years (fiscal year 1997, fiscal 
year 1998, fiscal year 1999, and fiscal year 2000), we have fought for 
and achieved a dramatic $2.6 billion funding increase for IDEA. This is 
a 115 percent increase in the Federal share for Part B of IDEA. 
However, this amounts to only 12.6 percent of the national average per 
pupil expenditure to assist with the excess expenses of educating 
children with disabilities.
  Failing to meet our full commitment contradicts the goal of ensuring 
that children with disabilities receive a quality education.
  The Congressional Research Service estimates that over $15 billion 
would be needed to fully fund Part B of IDEA. The fiscal year 2000 
appropriation for Part B was $4.9 billion, leaving States and local 
school districts with an unfunded mandate of more than $10 billion.
  The bill I am introducing today sets a schedule to meet the 40 
percent commitment by the year 2010. While many of us believe we should 
already be paying our fair share, this bill will authorize increases of 
$2 billion each year to ensure that our commitment becomes a reality in 
10 years.
  This Congress overwhelmingly passed a resolution stating that our 
highest education funding priority should be fully funding the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  I think that before we create new programs out of Washington, the 
Congress needs to ensure that the Federal Government lives up to the 
promises it made to the students, parents, and schools over two decades 
ago. If we had followed that commitment, local school districts would 
have the funds necessary to build new schools, hire new teachers, 
reduce class size and buy more computers. All new programs that the 
Administration has promoted over the last several years without funding 
the promise we made in 1975.
  In my district, the York City School District receives $363,557. If 
IDEA were fully funded, this school district would receive $1,440,000, 
an increase of $1,080,000. The York City School District currently 
spends $6.4 million each year on special education services, which 
represents about 16 percent of its total budget. The Federal 
contribution is currently only 5.7 percent of this.
  If the Federal Government paid the promised 40 percent for special 
education, York City would have approximately $1.1 million in 
additional funds to spend on other pressing educational needs. While 
$1.1 million may not sound like a lot of money, I can assure you that 
in a school district like York City, this represents a significant 
source of funds.
  Just 3 years ago, Congress and the administration worked together in 
a true bipartisan fashion to reauthorize IDEA so those children with 
special needs can have more options and services. It is my hope that we 
can continue that bipartisan work to fully fund the IDEA and finally 
make good on our commitment.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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