Chris Dodd: “I support a bipartisan, bicameral reauthorization of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA. I want to…”

“I support a bipartisan, bicameral reauthorization of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA. I want to start by thanking my fellow conferees and their staff for all of their hard work in putting together the bipartisan, bicameral legislation we are considering today. While we may still have some disagreements about the substance of the bill, getting to this point in a bipartisan way is no small achievement, and I know we are all better for it. Nothing pleases me more than to move forward with a reauthorization that the education, the disability, and the parent and student community have been eagerly waiting for: a bill that will ensure that students with disabilities get the services they are entitled to while providing school systems with a greater degree of flexibility in implementing the law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 emphasizes accountability and improved results, improves monitoring and enforcement of the law, and works to reduce litigation by providing new opportunities for parents and schools to address concerns and disputes.”