Political Quotes

“an important bill was recently reported out of the Senate Labor Committee and I hope it will make its way to the Senate floor quickly. This is a bill that was designed with not only children in mind--and that is foremost--but with the needs of teachers, administrators, and parents of children with disabilities. That can be a delicate balance, but I think it was achieved. S. 1578, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act reauthorization, ensures that children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education. At first, that may sound like something we would assume is a guaranteed right of any American citizen. And it is. But many children with disabilities have special needs--needs that neither the parents nor the schools can meet without sacrifice. And it seems that when this bill was first enacted in 1975, the burdens on some were increased. And 21 years later, we have the opportunity to make some positive changes. Let me just highlight a few of the changes that are proposed that prompted me to sign my name on this bill. To begin with, S. 1578 reduces the bureaucratic maze that schools have been required to fight their way through. Right now, State and local education agencies must submit a plan or application every 3 years. Now, they will only have to prepare that plan once, unless they institute substantial changes. And the data they are required to collect is cut in half.”