[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 1350, IMPROVING EDUCATION RESULTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 
                              ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2003

  Mr. WALSH.  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1350, 
Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act of 2003.
  More than two decades ago, the federal government imposed special 
education mandates on states and local school districts. Ever since 
then, the federal government has struggled to fund those mandates.
  Our nation's special needs children require a special commitment. And 
I'm pleased that this Congress has met that commitment with this IDEA 
renewal and reauthorization bill.
  It is important to note that since 1996 when Republicans regained the 
majority of this body, overall federal IDEA funding to states and 
school districts has increased by 282.3%. From 1996 to 2003, IDEA 
spending has increased an average of 18.6% per year--that's more than 
double the average annual increases from 1988 to 1995 when Democrats 
held the majority.
  This bill reauthorizes that renewed commitment that our party has 
brought to our nation's education policy. Not only is it Congress' 
responsibility to financially support the provision of special 
education by local school districts, it is our duty to ensure that no 
child is left behind in America's classrooms. Today, with this 
legislation we reaffirm this important priority.
  In addition to renewing our continued commitment to special needs 
education funding, H.R. 1350 increases accountability and improves 
education results for children with disabilities by deemphasizing 
compliance with complicated rules, diverting that attention to 
delivering academic results. It ensures that parents of special needs 
children will receive report cards from schools showing academic 
progress indicators beginning in 2005, just as the No Child Left Behind 
reforms implemented such policies for mainstream students.
  H.R. 1350 reduces the Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, 
paperwork burden on districts and special education teachers, 
lengthening the required IEP filing from every one to three years, 
though these provisions in the bill are options for BOTH states and 
parents. If parents opt for an annual IEP, this package continues to 
guarantee that right. By amending lengthy paperwork requirements, we 
ensure that teachers will spend more of their time on instructing 
students and less on filing government forms.
  In addition, H.R. 1350 improves early intervention strategies to 
reduce overidentifying or even misidentifying students as those with 
special needs. This legislation will give flexibility to local 
districts to use a percentage of funds for pre-referral services.
  Finally, this legislation supports general education and special 
education teachers by providing for appropriate professional 
development and encouraging innovative approaches to parental 
involvement and parental choice.
  Mr. Chairman, local school districts throughout my congressional 
district in New York State face uncertain fiscal times this coming 
budget year and, quite possibly, well into the near future. Funding 
instructional services for students with special needs is an enormous 
burden these districts bear. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
H.R. 1350 to more fully share in this responsibility.

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