Page 31 - 62nd Annual Siouxland Washington Conference Book

62nd Annual Siouxland/Washington Conference

REAUTHORIZATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)

ISSUE
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), originally enacted in 1975, requires that every
student with a disability has access to a free, appropriate public education. IDEA was last reauthorized in
2004. As this legislation was being developed, national groups successfully promoted significant changes
that shifted program emphasis from complying with legal requirements to improving education outcomes
and accountability for all students. Although federal legislation initially promised to provide 40% of the
excess cost to educate students with disabilities, all appropriations have fallen short, leaving states and
local school districts to make up the difference. It is important that the reauthorized IDEA also include
expectations of appropriation to fully fund the 40% of excess cost to educate all students with disabilities.

IDEA had been scheduled for reauthorization in 2011, but reauthorization appears to be delayed until 2016
or even later.

SUPPORT REQUESTED
We recommend a strategic approach to reauthorization of IDEA with a strong emphasis on improved
education outcomes for students with disabilities. In preparation for the next IDEA reauthorization, we urge
our tri-state Members of Congress to:

• Support legislation that recognizes the authority of local school boards.
• Oppose unnecessary, burdensome, and costly reporting and data collection requirements related to

IDEA Reauthorization and other related bills.
• Engage our state associations in providing opportunities for local school boards to identify issues of

concern and offer recommendations for modifications to the current law.
• Fully fund the 40% of excess cost to educate students with disabilities.

During the last reauthorization in 2004, the IDEA leaders had excellent bipartisan support in Congress
that helped negotiate final language. We ask for that same bipartisan support and work toward successful
changes to shift the program emphasis from legal processes to improving education outcomes and
accountability for all students.

It is imperative that appropriations match the needs through IDEA reauthorization. Districts have long
struggled since the original authorization and reauthorization of IDEA, and are using local tax dollars to
cover the burdens required by the federal government under the law. Please consider full funding of the
federal expectations as a part of reauthorization.

AUTHOR(S)
Dr. Rod Earleywine, Superintendent, Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District (IA), earlerod@sblschools.com,
712.943.8787
Dr. Vernon Fisher, Superintendent, South Sioux City Community Schools (NE), vern.fisher@ssccardinals.org, 402.404.1277
Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent, Sioux City Community School District (IA), gausmap@live.siouxcityschools.com,
712.279.6643
Al Leber, Superintendent, Dakota Valley School District (SD), Al.Leber@k12.sd.us, 605.422.3800

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