Barbara Mikulski: “I will vote for the IDEA Improvement Act to reauthorize special education--even though I am disappointed that the Senate…”

“I will vote for the IDEA Improvement Act to reauthorize special education--even though I am disappointed that the Senate didn't pass the Harkin-Hagel full-funding amendment. This is a down payment. There are some good policy changes in this bill, and I think we should move the reauthorization process forward. But I will continue to fight for full funding of special education. It is the single most important thing we can do for children. I am going to vote for this bill because it takes some big steps forward, and it is a good compromise. As a member of the HELP Committee, I am proud to say that we reached bipartisan agreements on some very complicated policy issues. It simplifies complicated rules and procedures and makes it easier for schools and parents to navigate--not litigate. And it allows schools to help students who need special attention, but not necessarily special education. I have talked to Marylanders about this. The women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority see their children being racially sidelined--pushed into special education, when what they really need is special attention. I am so pleased that we are doing something in this bill to stop racial sidelining. Yet, I have some concerns about the bill. My biggest concern is that this bill doesn't fully fund special education. I have heard from teachers, principals, and school superintendents who want to know where the resources will come from.…”