Special Education: Is IDEA Working as Congress Intended? Hearing before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives. One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session.

Overview & Synopsis

These hearings before the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform address the issue of whether the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is working as Congress intended. First, an introduction by the Chairman, Dan Burton, notes the difficulties that parents are having in accessing appropriate public education. Next are statements by individuals representing the following organizations: Office of Special Education Programs, Department of Education; National Association of Sate Directors of Special Education; National Education Association; and the National Council on Disability. Additional letters, statements, and other materials submitted for the record are also included. Some of the issues addressed include: the apparently increasing incidence of autism; inconsistent implementation of and compliance with IDEA; failure of Congress to fulfill its promise to provide 40% of excess special education costs; and a loophole in the 1997 amendments that allows states to shift federal education funding to non-educational purposes. (DB)