The Democrats in the Senate had been balking at naming conferees to the IDEA conference committee because they believed that they had not had meaningful input on a number of previous conference committees. However, a deal between Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate HELP committee, respectively, broke the stalemate and will allow the conference committee to move forward. The House passed its version of IDEA reauthorization in April of 2003, and the Senate passed its bill in May of 2004.

Unfortunately, there is no assurance the IDEA conference committee will convene soon or work quickly to ensure that IDEA reauthorization legislation becomes law before the 108th Session of Congress adjourns at the end of December. Congress is likely to recess around October 8 or 15 so that members can return home to campaign for reelection. It's almost a certainty that Congress will sit in a lame-duck, post-election session in November to conclude work on numerous bills that have yet to be passed, most notably the appropriations bills that fund federal government programs. There's no timeline as to when the 108th Session will adjourn for good.

CEC has been at the forefront of the debate on IDEA reauthorization. From the drafting of the legislation to the votes on the House and Senate floors, CEC has provided lawmakers and staff with information on special education and CEC's position on all topics related to IDEA reauthorization. Since May, CEC has urged Senate and House leaders to go to conference on IDEA legislation, and we are now urging the conferees to meet soon so that the President can sign IDEA legislation into law. As always, CEC will keep you updated on any breaking news on IDEA reauthorization.

To read CEC's recommendations to Congress on IDEA reauthorization, please go to http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/August2004AnalysisforIDEAConferenceCECRecommendations.pdf

For a CEC summary of selected IDEA issues, click on the following link: http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/CEC_Summary_of_Selected_IDEA_Reauthorization_Issues.pdf .