SR19: Resolution Text

LRB-3438/1

PJD:wlj:jf

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Senate RESOLUTION 19

October 15, 2003 - Introduced by Senators Darling, Kanavas, Schultz, Stepp and Roessler. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SR19,1,2 Relating to: urging Congress to fully fund and reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

SR19,1,5 Whereas, the Wisconsin legislature works closely with the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) to develop and introduce proposals for national legislation; and

SR19,1,7 Whereas, the MLC recently gathered at the 58th annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to generate ideas and share information; and

SR19,1,10 Whereas, the MLC is a nonpartisan organization comprised of state legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; and

SR19,1,12 Whereas, the MLC commends the federal government for its laudable goal of leaving no child left behind educationally; and

SR19,1,14 Whereas, historically, education policy has been the jurisdiction of states and local school districts; and

SR19,2,2 Whereas, states across the Midwest and elsewhere continue to struggle with tremendous economic challenges, budget shortfalls, and teacher shortages; and

SR19,2,4 Whereas, the student assessment requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) have broad implications for state/local policy making; now, therefore, be it

SR19,2,6 Resolved by the senate, That the Wisconsin senate strongly urges Congress and the administration to:

SR19,2,9 1) Commit to mandatory full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by 2010 (40 percent of costs), consistent with the report "IDEA Funding: Time for a New Approach";

SR19,2,11 2) Clarify assessment of students with disabilities through reauthorization of IDEA;

SR19,2,14 3) Work closely with state legislatures to address our concerns with NCLB, including waiver options, modification of state plans, and other implementation concerns;

SR19,2,16 4) Ensure that definition of "highly qualified teachers" under NCLB and IDEA do not inadvertently exacerbate teacher shortages;

SR19,2,18 5) Provide federal funding to implement NCLB to the state legislatures, for open and deliberate hearings, not directly to state or sub-state agencies; and

SR19,2,20 6) Appropriate funds under NCLB sufficient to cover incurred costs borne by states for NCLB; and, be it further

SR19,2,23 Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to the president of the United States, the U.S. Department of Education, and all members of Congress from the states within the Midwestern Legislative Conference.

SR19,2,24 (End)