[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE IDEA 25TH ANNIVERSARY RESOLUTION

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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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