Larry on HR 1350

HR 1350, IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was first introduced on 3/19/03, by 19 sponsors. This bill has become a boilerplate piece of legislation, which serves as a basis for virtually all legislation regarding children with learning disabilities. Throughout the years the bill has undergone many revisions and amendments. These efforts to update and revitalize HR 1350 IDEA, continue to this day, and are already being planned for the future. This "backbone" legislation has incorporated the spirit of  NCLBA,
the No Child Left Behind Act, demanded higher qualifications for special education teachers, insisted on IEP's, Individual Education Plans for special needs students, and supported additional educational research. The bill has not solved all of the special education problems associated with children with learning disabilities. However, this landmark legislation continues to this day to be the most comprehensive on the topic and has stood the test of time.

The policy impact of  HR 1350 has affected every public school in the country. Schools were mandated to change the way they viewed, and taught children with learning disabilities. Many millions of dollars have
already been spent, and many millions more will be spent, as the bill continues to be reworked, and amended further in the years to come.

It is my sincere hope that you will be touched by my story to the point that you are willing to step up and advocate on behalf of legislation to help children with learning disabilities.