AAP News Vol. 13 No. 7 July 1997, p. 6
© 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Tharp, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Disability act reauthorized

Marjorie Tharp

It took several years and a lot of compromises, but the Individuals with Disabilities. Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized June 4, allowing the program to continue for five years before it is reviewed agan.

"To the 5.8 million children whose futures are in the balance, we are saying, we believe in you; we believe in your potential and we are going to do everything we can to help you develop it," President Clinton said during the June 4 signing ceremony.

IDEA, established in 1975, mandates a free, appropriate public education to meet the needs of children with disabilities.

Half a dozen pediatricians served on an AAP work group that was responsible for drafting AAP principles and negotiating the end result with Senate leadership, the administration and members of the disability and education community. Though not seen as perfect by any means, the bill is viewed by AAP leaders as a fair and reasonable compromise.

"What's amazing about this legislation is that the crafting process was somewhat like an IEP [individual education plan]" said Harry Gewanter, M.D., member of the AAP work group who attended the White House signing ceremony. "They included members of Congress, teachers, pediatricians — everyone got their say."