Lynn C. Woolsey: “several months ago I visited a charter school in Santa Rosa CA. I spend the morning with students in their small…”

“several months ago I visited a charter school in Santa Rosa CA. I spend the morning with students in their small classes, saw the individual attention they got from their teachers, and met many of their parents. And when I left that school, I wept. I wept, Mr. Chairman, because I want every child to go to a school where the classes are small; where each student has an individual learning plan; where parents participate almost daily. You and I know how few students have these privileges. That is why I rise in strong support of Mr. Martinez' amendment to the Charter Schools Amendment Act. Mr. Chairman, during the hearing on charter schools in the Education Committee, we heard testimony that students with disabilities are consistently denied admission to charter schools, or, denied services once they are admitted. This is unacceptable. Charter schools are public schools, and they are required to comply with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. I know that many charter schools are started by parents and teachers who aren't familiar with IDEA and have never thought about educating a youngster with disabilities. That's why Mr. Martinez' amendment is so very important. This amendment says that when a charter school applied for Federal funds, the application must include a description of how the school will comply with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.”