Congress Negotiators Seal Special Ed Deal

[Tab]

WASHINGTON - House and Senate negotiators agreed to major changes in federal special education law Wednesday, pressing schools to ensure that children with disabilities get the same opportunities as others.

The deal is expected to be widely supported by the House and Senate on Friday and approved by President Bush — allowing Congress to squeeze a significant, bipartisan education bill into the final days of its session.

The bill aims to boost discipline in class, better identify children who have disabilities, get help to students earlier and reduce lawsuits by parents. It also reaffirms the federal government's intent to pay its share of expenses but does not lock in any yearly commitments.
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The House and Senate members lauded each other for reaching a bipartisan agreement in a Congress where such cooperation has been rare.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041118/ap_on_go_co/special_education

[SharonAnn]

1. I love this part.

"It also reaffirms the federal government's intent to pay its share of expenses but does not lock in any yearly commitments."

[Walt Starr]

2. We've got two words for what that part means where I come from

"Unfunded Mandate"

[mmonk]

3. That would be great

IF THEY FUND IT. I'm suspicious about it all since so many repubs hate helping in this area.

[Demeter]

4. This Is Absurd

As a mother of a special needs child, what "normal" and "gifted" kids need bears no relation to what the "different" or "special needs" child needs. I have both kinds of kids, and they might not even be the same species, educationally.

The trouble with educators and legislators is they are looking for the "one size fits all" solution. Ain't any such thing. There are at least 4 different learning styles for the average population, and the disabled have another 10 or 12 learning styles.

What true education needs is intelligence and unbiased observation by the instructor, flexibility and perserverance. Might as well wish for a fraud-free election campaign under Bush.

[grumpy old fart]

6. My prayers to you my sister...

and a fie on the politicians who cynically use this as a do nothing "feel good" vote.

[caligirl]

7. If I had a $ for every time I heard 'its an unfunded mandate'!

[wellstone dem]

5. not allowing parents to sue

means no real enforcement in many states.

[grumpy old fart]

8. Amen brother...

Without the right to seek redress through the courts, most any legislation is just total B.S.

[caligirl]

9. undercuts IDEA.

Take this to kthe Supremes?