Children with disabilities deserve a free and appropriate public education. Education opens the golden door of opportunity for every child, and it is especially important for children with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has opened doors and helped millions of children with disabilities lead independent and productive lives. It has been the difference between dependence and independence, between lost potential and productive careers.

Stronger enforcement of IDEA. Democrats want to empower local and state education agencies with new ways to measure compliance and impose sanctions when schools fail to live up the standards they have set for these children. 

Stronger accountability. Democrats want to require schools to meet strict benchmarks for achievement for students with disabilities by providing better delivery of transition services.

Protect students from being expelled from school and denied educational services because of their disability. Democrats want to require schools to determine whether a child's behavior is the result of their disability, or because other supports that should have been provided are missing.

Putting better teachers in the classroom. Democrats want all special education teachers to be certified in special education by 2007.

Helping children transition from school to college or to work. Democrats want to give children with disabilities greater access to the vocational rehabilitation system and help them prepare for college where appropriate.

Promising full federal support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education. Democrats want to provide full funding for IDEA to meet the long-standing promise of creating a federal financial partnership to meet the needs of the approximately 6.5 million children served under IDEA.