Members of Congress introduced bicameral, bipartisan resolution recognizing landmark legislation
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined Senators Chris Van Hollen and Bill Cassidy to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the historic investments IDEA has made to ensure every child with a disability in America gets equal access to public education.
“Every student in America deserves high-quality and accessible education,” said Hickenlooper. “IDEA invests in that promise and has delivered quality education and resources to millions of students. Our work isn’t finished until IDEA is fully funded and every child gets the education they deserve.”
“Since its passage fifty years ago, IDEA has opened the doors to a quality education for millions of students with disabilities across America. On IDEA’s anniversary, we honor all those who fought to make IDEA a reality and celebrate the dedicated educators who support students with disabilities in and out of the classroom. While we take stock of the progress that has been made because of this landmark legislation, I remain committed to the fight to fully fund IDEA – to move us closer to delivering greater, more equal access to high-quality education for every student in this country,” said Van Hollen.
“All children deserve an education that gives them the resources they need to reach their full potential,” said Cassidy. “By empowering parents to partner in their child’s education and equipping teachers with resources, IDEA ensures children with disabilities have the opportunity to succeed in the classroom.”
The senators’ resolution is endorsed by The School Superintendents Association (AASA), Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Council for Exceptional Children, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and National PTA.
“IDEA’s promise has always been about more than access – it’s about opportunity. It opened doors to possibility, respect, and belonging for millions of students who had long been denied access to public education. It transformed what families could expect and reshaped what our schools could provide. But opportunity demands resources. As we reflect on 50 years of IDEA, we thank members of Congress for recognizing this important milestone and urge them to put forward the resources so we can continue to implement the law with fidelity,” said David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
“Fifty years ago, Public Law 94 142 ignited a culture shift that affirmed the inherent potential and rights of children with disabilities. CEC’s members have led the charge – opening school doors, designing curriculum and supports, and translating research into practice across the country. This week we honor that legacy and look forward with determination to building on that progress to improve education and outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities,” said Chad Rummel, Executive Director, Council for Exceptional Children.
“Fifty years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is an incredibly important milestone and on behalf of the students, families, and educators we serve, I am privileged to remark on the tremendous progress that has been made in educating students with disabilities,” said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “We commend the bipartisan leadership in celebrating this anniversary and upholding the importance and significance of this federal law that ensures a free appropriate public education in the United States.”
U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman, Glenn Thompson, Hillary Scholten, and John James introduced companion legislation in the House.
This November, Hickenlooper called out the Trump administration’s illegal efforts to shut down the Department of Education’s administration and enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), following a report from the Washington Post. In October, he helped reintroduce the 21st Century Dyslexia Act to incorporate the modern, scientific understanding of dyslexia into federal statute and prevent the harm unidentified dyslexia can inflict on young students.
The full text of the resolution is available HERE.
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