Wish lists for reauthorization from key advocacy groups

By Katherine Shek and Kara Urbanski

Washington Bureau Correspondents

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to special education financing, most advocates agree -- the federal share is way too low and needs a boost right away. Some politicians, however, are skeptical guaranteed money is the fix.

These two views will take center stage when the 108th Congress sets out to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

"Funding will remain a central focus on this year's IDEA," said Mary Kusler, legislative specialist for the American Association of School Administrators.

As special education advocates and disability groups wait to see how the debate takes shape, they are exerting pressure on legislators through their position papers and lists of priorities. Here are the wish lists from key advocacy groups:

The Center for Law and Social Policy and Easter Seals have chimed in with their recommendations for reauthorization, particularly as it relates to young children with disabilities. Among their suggestions: amend individualized education programs by requiring them to provide a seamless transition for children transitioning from Part C.

Children's Behavioral Alliance -- Scaling back provisions in the IDEA could lead to serious problems for students with behavioral, social and emotional needs, says this coalition, organized by Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

The National Committee of Parents Organized to Protect IDEA -- Two parents rights groups have combined forces to argue that discipline provisions within the IDEA should remain as they are.

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education -- Full funding is at the top of NASDSE's list of priorities. The group also wants the government to ease the paperwork burden.

The Council for Exceptional Children -- The advocacy group wants Congress to propose ways in which states and schools could improve services for special needs students instead of making statutory changes to the IDEA.

The American Association of School Administrators -- This school superintendent-based organization has full funding as its highest priority. It also wants deadline changes to due process procedures.

The Arc -- Avoiding due process changes and other alterations that could limit children's rights are the main concerns of this advocacy group for people with mental retardation.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities -- The coalition of 100 national disability groups urges the federal government to monitor IDEA compliance more aggressively.

The IDEA Workgroup -- This coalition of about 40 general and special education, disability and parent groups is working together to reach consensus on IDEA issues. The group's main message is to make full funding mandatory.

The Learning Disabilities Association of America -- The LDA wants Congress to improve transition programs for continuing education and career opportunities for high school graduates with learning disabilities.

The Learning Disabilities Roundtable -- This broad-based consortium of advocacy groups told the ED the new law should improve schools' ability to identify students with specific learning disabilities to determine eligibility for special education programs.

The National Association of School Psychologists -- The 23,000-member organization wants to see school-based mental health services considered more frequently when assessing students with special needs.

The National Council on Disability -- The independent watchdog advises the government on issues related to people with disabilities. It predicts full funding and discipline will be the make-or-break initiatives during reauthorization.

The National Education Association -- The nation's largest teacher union wants Congress to increase funding for teacher training, partly in response to the misidentification of children needing special education services.

The National School Boards Association -- The group urges Congress to reform special education to focus on student outcomes rather than administrative and legal burdens.

The how and when of the IDEA debate depends on committee assignments in the House and Senate and how fast Republicans, now in control of both chambers, want to move. In the Senate, chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee switches to Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., from Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who now becomes the ranking member. As was the case prior to the November election, staffs in Gregg's and Kennedy's offices are working on a bipartisan IDEA bill.

The aim is to introduce one Senate bill endorsed by both men. While the staffs have reached consensus on several parts of the bill, they remain far apart on funding and vouchers. Republicans back vouchers and discretionary funding and Democrats oppose vouchers, but seek mandatory funding. Both camps say they want to introduce the bill in January, but, as chairman, it is Gregg who controls the committee calendar.

Jim Manley, Kennedy spokesman, said, "We hope to move quickly, but we don't control the process anymore." He said Democrats also are working on their own bill for introduction in case bipartisan efforts fall apart.

Mandatory funding could be the deal breaker. Gregg said in a recent interview, while he supports increased funding, specific dollar entitlement "makes it much more difficult to reform and improve special education."

The House situation is less clear, but officials said reauthorization would be at the top of the legislative list.

David Schnittger, a spokesman for the House Education and the Workforce Committee, rejected complaints by some advocacy groups that House members aren't ready to tackle the issue.

"Our intention is to make the IDEA reauthorization an immediate priority," Schnittger said. "We have a great deal of work ahead in 2003, and members on both sides of the aisle are very eager to delve into it."

Besides, Schnittger said, House Republicans took major steps in the 107th Congress to lay the groundwork for reauthorization. He noted Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., chairman of the House Education Reform Subcommittee, held a series of public hearings on the issue and launched a Web site last summer to solicit public input on reauthorization.

Elizabeth Wenk, press secretary for Castle, said chances for IDEA legislation to be introduced in January are slim, and members will likely focus on appropriation bills through February. "We hope to have some type of [reauthorization] bill formulated late spring," she said, adding, "Our goal is to make it a bipartisan bill."

Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, chair of the Education Committee, said recently he was uncertain whether a single reauthorization bill or separate bills from Republicans and Democrats would be introduced.

In addition to the House and Senate bills, special education advocates also are awaiting reauthorization guidance which, sources say, will be issued by the White House or the Department of Education

Jim Bradshaw, ED spokesman, said the department has not yet decided what guidance, if any, it would give. The White House declined comment.

Katherine Shek and Kara Urbanski cover special education issues for LRP Publications.

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December 18, 2002

Copyright 2002 © LRP Publications