[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
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

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                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2003

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, in America, all students, including those 
with disabilities, have the right to a free and appropriate education. 
Despite this fundamental right, the special educational needs of 
children with disabilities have sometimes gone unmet. That is why in 
1975, Congress set out to correct this wrong with a law now called the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA provides 
federal funding to help states and school districts meet their legal 
obligations to educate children with disabilities, and to pay 40 
percent of the extra expenses of doing so. Currently, such federal aid 
only provides 18 percent of the extra costs of educating students with 
disabilities.
  I strongly believe that individuals with disabilities have the right 
to participate in and contribute to society. Improving the educational 
opportunities and results for children with disabilities is an 
important step towards ensuring not only their full participation is 
society, but equality for all. However H.R. 1350, the Republican 
proposal to reauthorize IDEA, jeopardizes the quality of education 
provided to children with disabilities and weakens their civil and due 
process rights under current law. Furthermore, it does not guarantee 
any new funds for IDEA, it punishes children for actions they have no 
control over, and limits parental advocacy at due process hearings 
regarding their child's education. Because this bill does not offer 
enough help to the schools in my community of the San Gabriel Valley 
and East Los Angeles, I strongly oppose it. This bill simply turns back 
the clock of progress we have made in this area.

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