Janice Schakowsky: “I rise today in support of children with disabilities and their families and in opposition to H.R. 1350. They say, ``If…”

“I rise today in support of children with disabilities and their families and in opposition to H.R. 1350. They say, ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' The fundamentals of IDEA are widely appreciated by parents. In an e-mail I received, it says, ``Do not dilute IDEA legislation in any way. Our family has personally benefited from almost every part of IDEA rights,'' says the father of an autistic son. We say, ``First, do no harm.'' Unfortunately, this legislation does do harm. It changes the features of the Individualized Education Program in a way that hurts children and makes it easier to kick children with disabilities out of their classrooms, even when they are doing their best to comply and to do everything right, and it may be the result of their disability. Third, it diminishes the legal rights of parents to get the best education for children. Finally, this legislation still is dismally underfunded. If we want to do something good for IDEA, we should provide full funding and vote against H.R. 1350.”