109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 288
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the enactment 
of the Education for All Handicapped Children 
Act of 1975 and reaffirming support for the In-
dividuals with Disabilities Education Act so that 
all children with disabilities have access to a free 
appropriate public education in the least restric-
tive environment.
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 288
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 
1975 (Public Law 94–142) was signed into law 30 years 
ago on November 29, 1975, and amended the State grant 
program under part B of the Education of the Handi-
capped Act; 
Whereas the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 
1975 established the Federal priority of ensuring that all
•HCON 288 EH 
children, regardless of the nature or severity of their dis-
ability, have available to them a free appropriate public 
education in the least restrictive environment; 
Whereas the Education of the Handicapped Act was further 
amended by the Education of the Handicapped Act 
Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99–457) to create a 
preschool grant program for children with disabilities 
aged 3 through 5 and an early intervention program for 
infants and toddlers with disabilities under 3 years of age 
and their families; 
Whereas the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments 
of 1990 (Public Law 101–476) renamed the statute as 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 
Whereas IDEA currently serves an estimated 269,000 infants 
and toddlers, 679,000 preschoolers, and 6,000,000 chil-
dren aged 6 to 21; 
Whereas IDEA has assisted in a dramatic reduction in the 
number of children with developmental disabilities who 
must live in State institutions away from their families; 
Whereas the number of children with disabilities who com-
plete high school with standard diplomas has grown sig-
nificantly since the enactment of IDEA; 
Whereas the number of children with disabilities who enroll 
in college as freshmen has more than tripled since the en-
actment of IDEA; 
Whereas IDEA promotes partnerships between parents of 
children with disabilities and education professionals in 
the design and implementation of the special education 
and related services provided to children with disabilities;
•HCON 288 EH 
Whereas IDEA has raised the Nation’s expectations regard-
ing the abilities of children with disabilities by requiring 
access to the general education curriculum; 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA ensures that chil-
dren with disabilities are guaranteed a quality education 
based on the high academic standards required under the 
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–
110); 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization strengthens IDEA’s focus 
on the educational results of children with disabilities and 
better prepares those children for employment or further 
education beyond high school; 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization further enables special 
education teachers, related services providers, other edu-
cators, and State and local educational agencies to focus 
on promoting the academic achievement of children with 
disabilities; 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization maintains the necessary 
procedural safeguards that guarantee the rights of chil-
dren with disabilities and their parents while encouraging 
the mutual resolution of disputes and reducing unneces-
sary litigation; 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization continues to ensure the 
provision of a free appropriate public education to stu-
dents referred to a private school by a public agency and 
ensures the provision of special education and related 
services to students placed by their parents in private 
schools; 
Whereas, although the Federal Government has not yet met 
its commitment to fund IDEA at 40 percent of the aver-
age per pupil expenditure, it has increased IDEA funding
•HCON 288 EH 
over the last decade from $2.3 billion to $10.6 billion and 
increased its percentage share of the average per pupil 
expenditure from 7.8 percent to 18.6 percent; 
Whereas the 2004 reauthorization ensures that the vast ma-
jority of funds will go directly to the classroom and pro-
vides States and local educational agencies additional 
flexibility to provide for the costs of educating high need 
children with disabilities; 
Whereas IDEA has supported, through its discretionary pro-
grams, three decades of research, demonstration, and 
personnel preparation in effective practices for educating 
children with disabilities, enabling teachers, related serv-
ices providers, and other educators to effectively meet the 
educational needs of all children; 
Whereas Federal and State governments can support effec-
tive practices in the classroom to ensure appropriate and 
effective services for children with disabilities; and 
Whereas IDEA has succeeded in marshalling the resources of 
this Nation to implement the promise of full participation 
in society for children with disabilities: Now, therefore, be 
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the en-
actment of the Education for All Handicapped Chil-
dren Act of 1975 (Public Law 94–142); 
(2) acknowledges the many and varied contribu-
tions of children with disabilities and their parents,
•HCON 288 EH 
teachers, related services providers, and other edu-
cators; and 
(3) reaffirms its support for the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act so that all children 
with disabilities have access to a free appropriate 
public education.
Passed the House of Representatives November 15, 
2005. 
Attest:
Clerk.