This new law is a powerful affirmation of what parents with disabled children have known all along – that their children have worth in our society and can contribute to our communities. The President’s signature on this bill means the debate is no longer whether children with disabilities should learn alongside all other children, but how best to do it.

This bill shows what we can accomplish for the country when we reach for common ground. It’s a stronger and better law for families because Republicans and Democrats worked together. Perhaps we’ve set a bipartisan precedent for 2005.

For the first time, this law makes special education a true community partnership.

It unites parents, teachers, schools, and government for the good of all children.

And it encourages common sense solutions to the challenges of teaching special ed and regular ed students together.

It helps disabled children by holding schools accountable for their progress.

It helps their parents by respecting their role in their child’s education.

It helps teachers by reducing paperwork so they have more time to teach.

It helps schools by working out differences with parents in the classroom instead of the courtroom.

As a society, we are judged by how we treat our children. And we are measured especially by how we treat those children with special needs. That is why I believe so strongly in the right of every child to a free and appropriate education, and I believe this bill advances that cause.