Panel to Explore the Promise ahd Practice of IDEA
Friday, April 12, 10:30 AM
USCCR Headquarters
624 Ninth Street, N.W., Room 540
Washington, DC 20425
(Washington, D.C.) As Congress gets set to debate reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights plans to take a close look at how effectively the law is being enforced. The sweeping civil rights and education legislation affects families and school districts nationwide - urban and rural, rich and poor. But are all communities and families benefiting equally? Are racial and ethnic minority students over represented in special education classes? Are cash-strapped school districts meeting students' education and related needs? How effectively is the federal government monitoring compliance by the states?
These are among the questions the Commission will pose to a panel of advocates and experts, including:
"Our initial investigation reveals that no school system is getting it right," according to Commission Chairperson Mary Frances Berry. "We need to look more closely at what's working and what's not for students with special needs across the country, and then offer appropriate recommendations."
04/12/02