STATEMENT OF JUDITH E. HEUMANN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES On the Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. Supreme Court Ruling

US Education Department Press Releases, Mar 03, 1999

Archived: STATEMENT OF JUDITH E. HEUMANN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES On the Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. Supreme Court Ruling A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE March 3, 1999

Contact: Jim Bradshaw (202) 401-2310

STATEMENT OF JUDITH E. HEUMANN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICESOn the Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. Supreme Court Ruling

This is a very important decision for Garret, and all of America's disabled children. Obviously, we are pleased with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As we argued before the court, we believe students like Garret should receive the services necessary to ensure access to an appropriate education. That's what the law guarantees, and now the Court has made that clear. We also believe that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides the mechanisms to assist school districts to tap other available financial resources when necessary. The Department of Education offers a great deal of technical assistance to states and school districts to understand these options. I'm proud to be part of an administration that stood up for Garret's rights and that offers real assistance to schools that are responsible for implementing the law.

--