News in Brief: A Washington Roundup

Leaders of the House education and appropriations committees say they will keep a close eye on how states spend the current fiscal year's windfall in federal special education funding before deciding whether to give another big increase next year.

In a letter sent to governors and chief state school officers late last week, seven members of Congress said federal dollars must be used to supplement, not supplant, state and local special education budgets.

"In considering future increases for [the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act] ... we will be looking to see that states have maintained their financial commitment to special education," said the letter, which was signed by four Republican chairmen of the House education and appropriations committees and the...