[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IMPROVING PARENTAL CHOICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

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                            HON. JIM DeMINT

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, today I submit for introduction a bill to 
improve education for children with special needs by encouraging 
innovative approaches to parental involvement and flexibility.
  This legislation is meant to enhance other reforms being proposed in 
the IDEA reauthorization bill. Those reforms will improve special 
education by reducing the paperwork burden for educators, improving 
early intervention strategies, reducing misidentification of special 
needs students, and restoring trust between parents and districts by 
reducing litigation. I believe we must empower parents to be more 
involved in their child's education.
  My legislation would help states create customized education systems 
for children with special needs. Many states would like to offer 
options for children with special needs. Unfortunately, the current 
IDEA structure does nothing to promote these alternatives. This new 
legislation encourages states to research and develop scholarship 
programs for children with special needs, providing parents the 
opportunity to choose the education they see as a best fit for their 
child.
  The Improving Parental Choice bill would give states greater 
flexibility in providing for supplemental services. Students with 
special needs should have the flexibility to access the tutoring 
services of their choice. My bill would make it permissible for 
districts to use their federal IDEA reserved funds to provide greater 
opportunities for participation in outside supplemental education 
services. Children at a school designated for improvement under No 
Child Left Behind would have the opportunity to access the support 
services preferred by their family.
  This legislation would also allow pre-school age children to continue 
education with successful and comfortable providers. Children under age 
three currently receive special needs service from the provider of 
their choice. This legislation would expand the options of parents and 
decrease transition problems for the youngest children with 
disabilities by allowing states to expand programs that currently serve 
children ages 0-2. It would allow children to continue participation in 
their preferred program (including private providers) until age five 
when the child begins school.
  Children with special needs have different needs. They deserve 
education services that are customized for their personal needs. This 
legislation will provide parents with more resources and more 
opportunities for their children with disabilities.

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