News Release

NCD #02-349
February 7, 2002
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
mquigley@ncd.gov

National Council on Disability to Testify Before Congress on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

WASHINGTON--The National Council on Disability (NCD) will testify on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at the first Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus (BDC) congressional briefing on Wednesday, February 13, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2105 Rayburn House Office Building.

During the course of five studies on IDEA, from 1989 to 2000, NCD consistently learned that parents of children with disabilities are enthusiastic supporters of the law. They think it is a good law. Those studies include: Back to School on Civil Rights (2000) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/backtoschool_1.html); Improving the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Making Schools Work for All of America's Children Supplement (1996) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/96school.html); Improving the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Making Schools Work for All of America's Children (1995) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/95school.html); Inclusionary Education for Students with Disabilities: Keeping the Promise (1994) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/inclusion.html); Serving the Nation's Students with Disabilities: Progress and Prospects (1993) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/progress.html); and, The Education of Students with Disabilities: Where Do We Stand? (1989) (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/stand.html).

NCD's senior research specialist, Martin Gould, Ed.D., will testify before the Caucus, discussing NCD's new working paper on IDEA reauthorization. (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/reauthorizations/idea/idea.html).

According to Gould, "IDEA is the most far-reaching aspect of federal involvement in public education. Rich or poor, urban, suburban, or rural, all schools and districts are affected by special education."

IDEA is scheduled to be reauthorized by Congress in 2002. The IDEA statute is made up of four parts, including the Part A General Provisions section, the Part B Grants to States Program (including preschool grants), the Part C Infants and Toddlers program, and the Part D Support Programs. Part B is permanently authorized. Congress must periodically review and reauthorize Parts C and D of IDEA (usually every 5 years) in order to ensure continuation of the activities included under these parts.

One of the nation's best tools in promoting education equity and excellence is a public education system that is focused directly on accountability, achievement, and enforcement. To deal with the existing realities related to federal education policymaking, during IDEA reauthorization, NCD will use a variety of forums and mechanisms to solicit stakeholder input to advise the Administration and Congress regarding a range of critical policy issues. These policy issues and suggested policy options for reauthorization go to the heart of education reform for over six million students with disabilities and involve: (a) accountability in federal education spending, (b) achievement and progress in the K-12 arena, and (c) fidelity of implementation in all aspects of the IDEA entitlement program.