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IDEA Reauthorization (H.R. 1350)

H.R. 1350 is a hot topic that directly affects our children's educational rights under the Individual Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)...below are several facts and opinions to consider...we need to call or write our political leaders know where we stand on/before April 29th.

My mom had a saying..."without clear rules and time constraints some will stray, some will lay, and some will nay"...my opinion is...we can't afford to let young fruitful minds go unnourished and/or unfocused as adults decide whether or not it's timely or appropriate to meet regarding the needs of our children.

Council for American Private Education (CAPE) (factual articles)
www.capenet.org/new.html

Committee on Education and the Workforce (supports it)
http://edworkforce.house.gov/markups/108th/fc/hr1350/410sb.htm

Early Childhood Workgroup Letter (has concerns)
www.aucd.org/legislative_affairs/letter_early_childhood.htm

Federation for Children with Special Needs (shares info & copy of proposed bill)
www.fcsn.org/idea/idea.html

Justice for All Alerts (has concerns)
www.jfanow.org/cgi/getli.pl?1710

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)(has concerns)
www.nad.org/infocenter/newsroom/nadnews/nadgradesideabill.html

National Association of School Psychologists (has concerns)
www.nasponline.org/advocacy/IDEAalert032603.html

NASDSE's Governmental Relations Website
www.nasdse.org/government_relations/ideareauthorization.htm

OMB Watch (has several articles)
www.ombwatch.org/article/archive/169/

On Line Petition (has concerns)
www.petitiononline.com/IDEA2003/petition.html

Last but not least...I rcvd the following e-mail which is a plea for immediate action:

April 25, 2003

Dear LD Advocate:

I’m writing to update you on Congressional activities on the reauthorization of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

- HOUSE POISED TO VOTE ON H.R. 1350

On April 10th, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved H.R.
1350, the “Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act of
2003.” Next, the bill will be brought to the full House for a vote on the floor.
This action is expected to take place on April 30th.  

- APRIL 29TH PROCLAIMED AS NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST

Parents, advocates, students and others interested in the welfare and rights of
students with disabilities in this country are banning together to protest H.R.
1350. Despite the good efforts of individuals and organizations, the proposed
bill includes far too many damaging provisions and would compromise many of the
rights that IDEA has provided since its enactment in 1975. 

To join this effort, you are encouraged to CALL, FAX and EMAIL your elected
official in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 29th. Tell your
official to vote NO on HR 1350 - Its a BAD IDEA!

For complete contact information for YOUR member of Congress, go to:
http://capwiz.com/ld/dbq/officials/
Enter your ZIP CODE in the box provided then click “GO” 
Then click on the “info” link under your Representative’s name. 

April 29th is a critical day for the rights of students with disabilities. So,
we are asking you to put extra time and energy into your advocacy by
communicating through many methods. Please CALL, FAX and EMAIL your member of
Congress. 

To use NCLD’s Legislative Action Center to email your message of opposition to
H.R. 1350, go to:
http://capwiz.com/ld/issues/alert/?alertid=1864161&type=CO

You can also send a message to your local media outlets. Tell them that the U.S.
Congress has ignored the needs of students with disabilities in its proposed
bill. To send a message to the media, go to:
http://capwiz.com/ld/issues/alert/?alertid=1957851&type=ME

- WE’LL KEEP WORKING TO IMPROVE IDEA! 

NCLD is committed to working for important improvements to IDEA, including
updated provisions for the identification of learning disabilities and ways to
provide critical help as early as possible. We believe that IDEA should reflect
the most up to date knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities. We
will continue to keep you updated on IDEA related activities in the Congress,
including our efforts to bring about needed improvements.  

- HELP BUILD OUR LD ADVOCATE NETWORK!

Please forward this message to others that might be interested in working to
improve public policy that affects people with learning disabilities. Every
voice helps us make a difference. 
 
Sincerely,
Laura Kaloi
Director of Public Policy
National Center for Learning Disabilities

Visit our new online policy initiative: www.KeepKidsLearning.org