H-3230.1  _______________________________________________

                     HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4023

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Sterk, Johnson, Cole, Hickel, Keiser, Talcott, Smith, Sump, Mulliken, Delvin, Quall, Koster, Linville, Robertson, D. Schmidt, Cooke, Cairnes and Thompson

Read first time 4/16/97.  Referred to Committee on Rules.

Encouraging Congress to amend and reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

    TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Congress is currently considering the reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (H.R. 3268 and S. 1578); and

    WHEREAS, We, the Washington State Legislature, recognize our responsibility to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment in our state's public schools; and

    WHEREAS, Federal statute with respect to discipline of students with disabilities has created terrible inequities in administering school discipline; and

    WHEREAS, Much of our ability to positively impact the learning environment with respect to special needs students and discipline is dictated by federal statute; and

    WHEREAS, Washington's schools thoroughly embrace the inclusion and least-restrictive, free and appropriate public education for all students and we heartily concur;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress amend and reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act taking into consideration the following issues:

    (1) Correction of the inequity of discipline between regular and special needs students;

    (2) Financial support to school districts for costs associated with the high cost programs and placement required in meeting federal requirements;

    (3) Policy and fiscal support for the development of state-wide and regional ombudsman programs to reduce incidence of, and need for, excessive litigation;

    (4) Federal support for staff training in working with the increasing diversity and severity of student behavioral problems; and

    (5) Increased federal funding to augment state efforts at creation of alternative programs for disruptive, dysfunctional students.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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