Reply #6: Response to a Special Ed. Teacher (me) who wrote Senator Edwards [View All]

[jmoss]

from the horses mouth:

Dear Mr. Moss:

Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts regarding the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). I appreciate hearing from you and thank you for your kind words.

As you know, IDEA is an enormously important program that significantly impacts our educational system, and I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts about this law. Thank you for your dedication to the young people of Chatham County.

I understand that you are particularly concerned about the discipline provisions in IDEA. As you wrote, the IDEA reauthorization legislation passed by the House would allow for higher degrees of severity in disciplinary actions. I appreciate your strong support for this provision, and I will work with my colleagues to ensure that the discipline provisions in IDEA provide a safe environment for all students. In addition, I appreciate hearing your thoughts about assessment models for evaluating children, particularly the "discrepancy" model. Please be assured that I will keep the information you have provided in mind.

Finally, I firmly believe that we in Washington can and should make good on our promise to help our communities meet their special education needs by fully funding IDEA. As you know, educating children with disabilities is one of the most expensive endeavors our schools undertake. For nearly three decades, however, the federal government has failed to deliver on its promise to fund IDEA at 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure. Even at its highest, federal aid for special education has only reached 17.5 percent of local costs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we fully fund this important legislation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and suggestions with me. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

John Edwards
United States Senate