SCR4: calling on the President and the Congress to fully fund the federal government's share of special education services in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

SCR 4 – FINAL VERSION

2007 SESSION

07-1312

04/05

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

A RESOLUTION calling on the President and the Congress to fully fund the federal government’s share of special education services in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

SPONSORS: Sen. Kelly, Dist 10; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Bragdon, Dist 11; Sen. Burling, Dist 5; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. DeVries, Dist 18; Sen. Downing, Dist 22; Sen. Estabrook, Dist 21; Sen. Foster, Dist 13; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Gottesman, Dist 12; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Janeway, Dist 7; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Reynolds, Dist 2; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This senate concurrent resolution calls on the President and the Congress to fully fund the federal government’s share of special education services in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

07-1312

04/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

A RESOLUTION calling on the President and the Congress to fully fund the federal government’s share of special education services in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Whereas, since its enactment in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has helped millions of children with special needs to receive a quality education and to develop to their full capacities; and

Whereas, IDEA has moved children with disabilities out of institutions and into public school classrooms with their peers; and

Whereas, IDEA has helped break down stereotypes and ignorance about people with disabilities, improving the quality of life and economic opportunity for millions of Americans; and

Whereas, when the federal government enacted IDEA, it promised to fund up to 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and

Whereas, the federal government currently funds, on average, less than 17 percent of the average per pupil expenditure in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and

Whereas, local school districts and state government end up bearing the largest share of the cost of special education services; and

Whereas, the federal government’s failure to adequately fulfill its responsibility to special needs children undermines public support for special education and creates hardship for disabled children and their families; and

Whereas, the general court is currently challenged with the responsibility of defining and funding an adequate education for all children in this state; and

Whereas, these legislative efforts are significantly burdened and constrained by the costs incurred by the federal government’s failure to meet its full financial promise under IDEA; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the New Hampshire general court urges the President and the Congress, prior to spending any surplus in the federal budget, to fund 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States as promised under IDEA to ensure that all children, regardless of disability, receive a quality education and are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve; and

That copies of this resolution be forwarded by the senate clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

Approved: May 31, 2007