Stand with disabled American children for educational equality!
In 1990, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Originally enacted in 1975 as Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) by a 404-7 vote in the House and 87-7 vote in the Senate, the purpose of IDEA is to provide America's students with disabilities equal opportunities to excel in local school systems. In 2004, the IDEA Improvement Act was signed into law as a major amendment to IDEA. Like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the original IDEA and its amendments were all signed into law by Republican presidents.
In a 2000 floor statement, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the birth place of Helen Keller, criticized the IDEA. Sen. Sessions argued that the IDEA contributed to the decline in civility because of the lack of discipline involving students such as those he referred to as "emotionally conflicted." According to him, "(w)e have children we cannot control because of this federal law." He added that "many instructional hours are lost to teachers in dealing with behavior problems. In times of an increasingly competitive global society it is no wonder American students fall short. Certain children are allowed to remain in the classroom robbing the other children of hours that can never be replaced."
The nomination of Sen. Sessions to be the next U.S. Attorney General may put at risk decades of progress in educational equality and excellence for American children with disabilities. There are many categories of disability covered by the IDEA, reflecting the unique learning needs of different groups. What they all need is not "discipline" or exclusion from the school system, but innovative supports and services that build on decades of bipartisan efforts to promote equality and excellence in America's schools. After all, America is a nation of innovators. IDEA is an innovative response to the exclusion of disabled children from U.S. schools, and it has enabled millions of Americans to succeed academically and professionally, including the author of this letter who's deafblind and legally came to America because no school in his native country accepted him.
Families, educators, advocates and all other concerned citizens join in urging the U.S. Senate to bring up this matter with the nominee. As citizens, we expect our elected representatives in Congress to thoroughly examine all nominees for federal office whose positions may threaten American families, especially those who have disabled children. Sen. Sessions should explain how he will protect and promote the rights of all children with disabilities as the nation's top law enforcement officer.
Resources
1. "Education Discipline and IDEA" Floor statement by Sen. Jeff Sessions: http://www.sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ID=a7977b1d-7e9c-9af9-753e-8f3a8b3b43fb
2. "Would Special Education Rights Be Safe With Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General?" Tara H.: http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2016/11/29/would-special-education-rights-be-safe-with-jeff-sessions-as-u-s-attorney-general/#3ecc29225dd8
3. "What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?" Andrew M. I. Lee: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/how-idea-protects-you-and-your-child
4. "Categories of Disabilities Under IDEA" Center for Parent Information and Resources: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/categories/
5. "Individusl with Disabilities Education Act: 40 Years Later" American Institutes for Research: http://www.air.org/resource/individuals-disabilities-education-act-40-years-later
In a 2000 floor statement, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the birth place of Helen Keller, criticized the IDEA. Sen. Sessions argued that the IDEA contributed to the decline in civility because of the lack of discipline involving students such as those he referred to as "emotionally conflicted." According to him, "(w)e have children we cannot control because of this federal law." He added that "many instructional hours are lost to teachers in dealing with behavior problems. In times of an increasingly competitive global society it is no wonder American students fall short. Certain children are allowed to remain in the classroom robbing the other children of hours that can never be replaced."
The nomination of Sen. Sessions to be the next U.S. Attorney General may put at risk decades of progress in educational equality and excellence for American children with disabilities. There are many categories of disability covered by the IDEA, reflecting the unique learning needs of different groups. What they all need is not "discipline" or exclusion from the school system, but innovative supports and services that build on decades of bipartisan efforts to promote equality and excellence in America's schools. After all, America is a nation of innovators. IDEA is an innovative response to the exclusion of disabled children from U.S. schools, and it has enabled millions of Americans to succeed academically and professionally, including the author of this letter who's deafblind and legally came to America because no school in his native country accepted him.
Families, educators, advocates and all other concerned citizens join in urging the U.S. Senate to bring up this matter with the nominee. As citizens, we expect our elected representatives in Congress to thoroughly examine all nominees for federal office whose positions may threaten American families, especially those who have disabled children. Sen. Sessions should explain how he will protect and promote the rights of all children with disabilities as the nation's top law enforcement officer.
Resources
1. "Education Discipline and IDEA" Floor statement by Sen. Jeff Sessions: http://www.sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ID=a7977b1d-7e9c-9af9-753e-8f3a8b3b43fb
2. "Would Special Education Rights Be Safe With Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General?" Tara H.: http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2016/11/29/would-special-education-rights-be-safe-with-jeff-sessions-as-u-s-attorney-general/#3ecc29225dd8
3. "What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?" Andrew M. I. Lee: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/how-idea-protects-you-and-your-child
4. "Categories of Disabilities Under IDEA" Center for Parent Information and Resources: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/categories/
5. "Individusl with Disabilities Education Act: 40 Years Later" American Institutes for Research: http://www.air.org/resource/individuals-disabilities-education-act-40-years-later
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