May 28, 2003

The Honorable John Boehner

The Honorable Michael Castle

Committee on Education and the Workforce

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representatives Boehner and Castle:

The CCD Education Task Force, along with tens of thousands of parents of children with disabilities and other individuals across the country, oppose H.R. 1350 The Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act.  We took this position when the serious concerns we have with H.R. 1350 that we raised directly to you and your staff remained unaddressed. We oppose this bill primarily because if enacted, it will likely result in children with disabilities losing their right to a free, appropriate, public education. We also oppose the bill because of its provisions to limit due process and procedural safeguards for children and their families.   

The undersigned members of the CCD Education Task Force were extremely disappointed when we learned of the document released by the Education and Workforce Committee on April 29, 2003, titled “The Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act: Separating Fact from Fiction.” This document states that those who oppose H.R. 1350 are “opponents of improving our nation’s special education law.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Parents of children with disabilities and their advocates are not opposed to improving IDEA, rather, they want the law effectively implemented and enforced.  The Committee’s characterization does our country a great disservice.  

1331 H Street, NW, Suite 300 • Washington, DC  20005 • PH 202/783-2229 • FAX 467-4179 • Info@c-c-d.org • www.c-c-d.org

Attached to this letter is a copy of the CCD Principles for the IDEA Reauthorization that have been presented to you and your staff on several occasions.  As you will see, these principles reflect the concerns of our membership about how IDEA can be improved. We provide a summary for your review.

• All children should be provided a quality public education that promotes academic success.
• Each child’s education should be tailored to meet his or her unique needs.
• Parental involvement is critical to providing appropriate education to children with and without disabilities.
• Accountability and monitoring programs must be improved.
• All educational personnel, including administrators, principles, teachers, paraprofessionals and related services personnel, must be qualified to educate students with disabilities.
• Shortages of qualified personnel must be decreased and eventually eliminated.
• Assistive technology training for all personnel is key to academic success.
• Early intervention and preschool services must be available to all children.
• Effective research-based instruction should be used whenever possible.
• All schools must provide effective research-based reading instruction to all students, including children with disabilities.
• IDEA should give increased attention to racial, ethnic and linguistic diversity to prevent inappropriate overrepresentation or under representation of minority children in special education.
• All levels of government must continue to participate in the implementation of IDEA.
• Fully funding IDEA is paramount to ensuring all eligible students receive quality services.
• The civil rights of children with disabilities and their families must be fully maintained.
• Procedural safeguards are necessary to assure that educational decisions are determined appropriately.
• School systems should provide a safe environment, conducive to learning.
• Cessation of services should be prohibited.
• All schools should establish and implement research-based, effective programs that prevent school violence.

We oppose H.R. 1350 because it fails to meet the majority of our principles. Whereas the Committee’s document attempts to separate “fact from fiction”, it only succeeds in demonstrating a grave lack of understanding as to the legitimacy of the concerns of parents of children with disabilities – the ultimate stakeholder in this law.

CCD has, since it’s inception 25 years ago, maintained and strived for positive working relationships with lawmakers regarding public policy which affects the lives of children and adults with disabilities. It is our sincere hope that constructive communication and dialogue can ensue in the future so that together we can work towards improving educational results for children with disabilities.  We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

American Council of the Blind

American Music Therapy Association

American Society for Deaf Children

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Children and Adult with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Council for Learning Disabilities

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

Easter Seals

Family Voices

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Learning Disabilities Association

National Association of Social Workers

National Coalition on Deaf-Blindness

National Center for Learning Disabilities

National Down Syndrome Congress

National Down Syndrome Society

TASH

The ARC of the United States

Tourette Syndrome Association

United Cerebral Palsy Associations