MAY 13, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
www.OurChildrenLeftBehind.com
Shari Krishnan, Tricia & Calvin Luker, Sandy Alperstein, and Debi
Lewis
OurChildrenLeftBehind-owner@YahooGroups.com
(248) 544-7223


WASHINGTON – Many parents of children with disabilities were
profoundly disappointed today with the passage of S.1248, the Senate
bill to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Only Senators Stabenow (D-MI), Jeffords (I-VT), and Leahy (D-VT)
appeared to have heard the concerns of tens of thousands of parents
who have been voicing their opposition to this bill for the last
year. These courageous Senators' NO votes proved they value children
and families over institutions.

Parents watched and listened to the two-day debate as speaker after
speaker capitulated to the school lobby's push to weaken parental
rights and responsibilities for 6.5 million children who receive
special education services. One senator's speech even blamed parents
for causing their children's disabilities through neglect.

Parents and supportive family-focused advocacy organizations that
led the forces opposing S.1248 are already preparing for the next
phase in the IDEA reauthorization process. The bill now moves to
conference committee where it will be reconciled with H.R.1350,
which was passed by the House of Representatives in April, 2003.

Our Children Left Behind will be joining forces with the newly-
formed National Family Network on Disability to advance the position
of students and families in the special education arena.

Korrie~
^i^B/G/G 24 w 3d,1/17/00
B 10/31/01
B 1/27/03

<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="" alt="Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a>

We are just starting down this road - our first IEP meeting is on Tuesday. Its so sad that we have to fight so hard to get services for our children.

Colleen
Mom to Connor, Alec & Devon
5/10/2001

http://lilypie.com>

TThanks Korrie
I just completed my three transition iep's this past Wednesday. It's all very scarey.

Danielle
Easton, Blake & Hunter
1-24-99