Strong political obstacles to implementing fully effective systems exist at the state level just as they do at the federal level. Here, I want to pause and clarify that under our federal mandate, NCD is unable to organize the grassroots. It is your job to take this report and use it as a tool to effect change. After consulting with advocates, parents and other stakeholders, NCD proposes that stronger enforcement will happen as parents and students develop their own more effective voice in advocating for a free appropriate public education. Critical to this happening is the availability of free and low-cost legal advocacy through public and private legal services providers.
Litigation continues to be a staple of enforcement.
Until the playing field is leveled between parents and local school districts, parent training on IDEA alone will not get students and families access to the services they need. The need for legal support for families is so extensive that NCD recommends collaboration of the technical assistance centers, advocacy systems and parent centers to share resources so that strong legal advocacy networks can be created throughout each state. NCD further recommends the establishment of a national back-up center to provide legal materials, training and other supports for attorneys around the country working on IDEA cases. All of this requires money. NCD recommends that for every increase in Part B funds, that Congress allocate an additional amount equivalent to10 percent of the total Part B increase to support the legal advocacy initiatives.