[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5706-H5707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT EDUCATION ACT OF 2023
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 4259) to amend the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act to require notification with respect to individualized
education program teams, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4259
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Think Differently about
Education Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR IEP TEAMS.
Section 614(d)(1)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (iv), by redesignating subclauses (I) through
(III) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively (and by
conforming the margins accordingly);
(2) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vii) as
subclauses (I) through (VII), respectively (and by conforming
the margins accordingly);
(3) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as so
redesignated, by striking ``The term'' and inserting the
following:
``(i) In general.--The term''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Notification required.--Within a reasonable
timeframe prior to the first convening of the individualized
education program team for a child with a disability for a
school year, the local educational agency that serves such
child shall notify the parent of such child that such parent
may, under clause (i)(VI), include other individuals who have
knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including
related services personnel as appropriate, as part of the
individualized education program team.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Bean) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4259.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1800
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4259, the Think
Differently about Education Act.
The bill requires schools to notify parents of their rights under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Parents can invite experts
with specialized knowledge of their child to attend the child's
individualized education program meeting. This is important because key
decisions are being made about their child's education in this meeting.
This proposal actually restates present law, but it ensures that
parents are aware of and can exercise a right they have under current
law.
However, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating for further
amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do
the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Molinaro), the bill's sponsor.
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful that my Think
Differently about Education Act has come to the floor today.
This builds off of an initiative we launched in my home county about
a decade ago. We launched the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative as a means of
embracing every one of every ability, creating a community that is more
welcoming and supportive. The focus has been to break down barriers and
create opportunities for those with intellectual, physical, and
developmental disabilities.
ThinkDIFFERENTLY is simply a call to action. This bill, the Think
Differently about Education Act, builds on the success of that
ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative.
This bill requires that public schools, K-12, notify parents of a
child with a disability about their right to a third-party advocate in
IEP meetings. Individualized education program plans are a document
that outlines the educational needs of children with a disability,
tailored specifically for them in coordination with the school, the
parent or guardian, and the child.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, commonly known as
IDEA, requires public schools to develop an IEP plan for every student
with a disability. IDEA also entitles that the child and parent are
able to bring a third-party advocate to the IEP meeting. However, in
most cases, sadly, parents are unaware of their rights. Because of
that, CSE meetings are conducted without parents knowing what
resources, support, and educational opportunities might be available to
their children.
In many cases, this leaves parents and guardians who are not always
familiar with IDEA and everything that should be included in an IEP
confused and, sadly, left out, their children losing great opportunity,
which is also often self-interested. Many times, school districts are
focused on financial benefits instead of providing the direct benefits
of a quality and full education to those with disabilities.
Now, I know this firsthand as the parent of a child with a
disability. While my daughter, Abigail, now 20 years old, continues to
benefit from quality education in our home school district, too many
families like ours have had to navigate this system without the
knowledge of and partnership of a third-party advocate.
[[Page H5707]]
My bill would ensure that parents are fully aware of their rights to
bring a third-party advocate to an IEP meeting to ensure that their
child is getting the most comprehensive and disability-specific IEP
plan possible.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very basic, commonsense bill that builds on
the need to ensure that every one of every ability has their right to
pursue a fulfilled life, a pursuit of happiness.
For those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental
disabilities, far too often, they are restrained and restricted from
doing so because they are not provided the broad access to a quality
education.
In this case, we simply remind school districts that parents have the
right to have a third party standing beside them navigating that
system, and in the end, I think more individuals with disabilities will
attain the education opportunities they so deserve.
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin), who serves on the Committee on
Education and the Workforce and is celebrating her birthday today.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of a
critical piece of legislation, the Think Differently about Education
Act, as a proud cosponsor.
This bill is about empowering families, ensuring transparency, and
providing the necessary support to students with disabilities as they
navigate their educational journey.
Each year, in thousands of schools across the Nation, individualized
education program meetings, or IEP meetings, are taking place. Parents
and school staff come together to develop a personalized plan that
addresses the unique needs of every child.
However, many parents face these meetings feeling overwhelmed and
unsure. Some may not realize they have a right to bring an advocate,
therapist, or lawyer to help them through the process. Unfortunately,
most parents sit in these meetings without the support they deserve.
This is where the Think Differently about Education Act steps in, a
simple, commonsense solution, but one that can make a world of
difference. It would require K-12 schools to inform parents of their
right to bring a third-party advocate to IEP meetings.
By empowering parents with this knowledge, we can ensure they are
fully supported as they advocate for their child's education.
This isn't just about informing parents. It is about creating a
culture where families feel supported and engaged in their child's
educational journey.
Every child deserves a quality education that meets their unique
needs, and every family deserves to be empowered to advocate for their
child.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Think Differently
about Education Act so that we can support more families on this
journey.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, the Think Differently about Education Act is a
bipartisan bill that requires schools to notify parents of their right
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to bring an
expert with specialized knowledge or expertise regarding their child to
individualized education program meetings.
While parents clearly have this right under current law, they might
not always be appropriately informed about their rights. This
legislation ensures that parents will know that they can include
experts who can assist them in shaping an IEP that meets the student's
individual needs.
Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and encourage my colleagues to
support it as well.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, all children, including children with learning
disabilities, deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for
full participation in society.
H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act of 2023, builds
upon the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which gives
teachers, parents, and schools the tools to ensure students in special
education receive the opportunities they deserve.
H.R. 4259 would make it easier for families to ensure their children
will have the tools they need to succeed in school. Every child has the
potential to flourish when just given the right support.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4259, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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