Think Differently About Education Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act.

The bill requires schools to notify parents of their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Parents can invite experts with specialized knowledge of their child to attend the child's individualized education program meeting. This is important because key decisions are being made about their child's education in this meeting.

This proposal actually restates present law, but it ensures that parents are aware of and can exercise a right they have under current law.

However, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating for further amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at this time.

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the Think Differently about Education Act is a bipartisan bill that requires schools to notify parents of their right under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to bring an expert with specialized knowledge or expertise regarding their child to individualized education program meetings.

While parents clearly have this right under current law, they might not always be appropriately informed about their rights. This legislation ensures that parents will know that they can include experts who can assist them in shaping an IEP that meets the student's individual needs.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and encourage my colleagues to support it as well.

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