Brief (1)
SCR 1644 urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to increase funding for special education from an average federal share of 12.0 percent nationwide to the 40.0 percent level authorized by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Background
SCR 1644 was sponsored by the Senate Committee on Education pursuant to the recommendation of the Senate Education Subcommittee on Special Education Funding chaired by Senator Lana Oleen.
The intention of the Senate Education Committee is that this resolution prompt preparation of a prototype for work by the National Conference of State Legislatures to develop model legislation.
The concurrent resolution discusses federalism and the importance of public education as a function of state government and observes that federalism has been eroded over the years with the federal government's ascendency at the expense of the states, especially in the area of education and, more specifically, in special education. In this connection, the concurrent resolution further explains that federal funding for special education comprises about 11.7 percent of total expenditures, nationwide, for special education while federal legislation authorizes expenditures at the 40.0 percent level. The concurrent resolution urges Congress to increase special education funding to the 40.0 percent threshold.
Copies of the concurrent resolution are to be sent to the President of the United States; Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education; each member of the Kansas Congressional delegation; chairs and minority leaders of appropriation and education subject matter committees of Congress; National Conference of State Legislatures; American Legislative Exchange Council; Council of State Governments; National Governors' Association; and the George W. Bush and Al Gore presidential campaigns.
Spokespersons for United School Administrators, Kansas Association of School Boards, and the Kansas Catholic Conference endorsed the measure. There were no opponents.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html