Recognizing National Special Education Day

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Special Education Day.

Special education is about more than academics. It is about opening doors, tearing down barriers, and empowering every child to reach their fullest potential.

It is about recognizing that our differences are strengths and that diversity in learning enriches us all.

In the 1970s, Congress made a commitment to provide a free and appropriate education to students with disabilities. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, we made strides in inclusion in education.

While we have made tremendous progress, more work remains to be done.

Congress promised to cover 40 percent of the extra cost of special education, but we have never come close to fulfilling that promise. In fact, the current funding remains at only 14 percent of the targeted amount.

This means our students and schools suffer, and students with disabilities will not be able to succeed--not without the appropriate, high-quality services that they deserve.

For many years I have been proud to help introduce the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would gradually increase IDEA funding to reach that full commitment.

Mr. Speaker, National Special Education Day is not just a moment to reflect on how far we have come. It is a call to action for how far we still need to go.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source