Title: DRHR80053-LG-23 (02/13)
Category: Bill Draft 2002

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA	SESSION 2003

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2003
H	D
HOUSE RESOLUTION DRHR80053-LG-23  (02/13)

Sponsors: | Representative Glazier.
Referred to: |

A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION.
Whereas, full federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) would have an immediate impact on students with disabilities across the entire State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, prior to enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, only one in five children with disabilities was educated in public schools in the United States; and
Whereas, despite significant strides in increasing and enhancing public education of children with disabilities, many of these children still do not receive the services and assistance they need to succeed in public schools; and
Whereas, North Carolina has had in place for a number of years an assessment and accountability system that includes students with disabilities, including students requiring an alternate assessment system; and
Whereas, considering the new federal No Child Left Behind requirements for raising the percentage of students with disabilities proficient in state standards to 100% by the end of the 2013‑2014 school year and that a primary evaluation of school success will be determined by increasing the proficiency rate, local school districts have been working to provide North Carolina's 190,823 students with disabilities increased access to and progress in the general curriculum; and
Whereas, full funding will translate into providing more teachers and paraprofessionals emphasizing instruction in curriculum to assist in implementing the Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for all North Carolina students with disabilities, which would support student achievement and student proficiency; and
Whereas, teacher preparation programs would benefit from full funding of IDEA by attracting prospective persons interested in a career of teaching special education; and
Whereas, teacher professional development and technical assistance to increase student achievement and proficiency would benefit from full funding of IDEA; and
Whereas, the related services that the additional IDEA part B money resulting from full funding could buy would positively impact student achievement and academic success; and
Whereas, full funding would also assist in the provision of additional technology and assistive technology dedicated to increasing access to and progress in the general curriculum for students with disabilities; and
Whereas, the federal government currently funds only 18% of its initial promise to pay 40% of per pupil expenditures under IDEA for serving students with disabilities; and
Whereas, this lack of funding has forced states and local districts to make up the difference at the cost of other critical education programs; and
Whereas, passage of the full funding provision is especially critical now that most states are experiencing declining revenues and budget reductions due to the slow economy; and
Whereas, a recent congressional report showed that many states have already been forced to cut education funding over 11 billion dollars, with more cuts expected; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives urges Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during Congress' consideration of IDEA reauthorization. It is absolutely critical that Congress fulfill its 27‑year‑old promise to help states and local school districts with the rising costs of special education and approve mandatory IDEA full funding.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each member of the North Carolina congressional delegation and to the President of the United States.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.

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