Government Relations Update

A New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and their Families

The President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education submitted its final report to the White House on July 1. You may review the report, entitled A New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and their Families, at: http://www.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/reports.html. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce will each hold a hearing regarding the report during the week of July 8.

According to the Commission’s website, http://www.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/, “President Bush charged the Commission with studying issues related to federal, state, and local special education programs in order to improve the educational performance of students with disabilities. The Commission held 13 open hearings and meetings across the country. At those meetings and hearings, the members heard from 109 expert witnesses and more than 175 parents, teachers, students with disabilities, and members of the public. Hundreds of other individuals provided the Commission with letters, written statements, and research. The Commission's effort represents the most expansive review of special education in the 27-year history of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. The Commission submitted this report to The White House on July 1 as required by the Executive Order.”