A reauthorization plan drafted by Republican aides to the House education committee for the primary federal special-education law emphasizes provisions designed to reduce disputes between school officials and parents of children with disabilities.
The draft proposal to amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would also give officials more authority to discipline special-education students. (See related story .)
The “discussion draft” is not complete and has not yet moved beyond the staff level for lawmakers'(See Educational Opportunities Committee’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families had been scheduled to take up the I.D.E.A. this week, but action was put off until next month. September.
Republican lawmakers may attach the I.D.E.A. legislation to a block-grant proposal that would consolidate many education programs in an effort to gain leverage over opponents of the block-grant plan. (See related story