Jeff Sessions' views on special education raise questions about Georgia lawsuit

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, has a long history of acerbic comments: criticism of the NAACP for “un-American” activities, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and zealous defense of keeping marijuana illegal, to name a few.

But the Alabama senator’s statements about a lesser-known target – federal law on special education – may have a big impact in Georgia if the Senate confirms his appointment.

On May 18, 2000, Sessions delivered lengthy remarks on the Senate floor criticizing the federal law that protects the rights of children with disabilities: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.

The law guarantees a “free and appropriate public education” to all children, regardless of disability. Generally, the law says children with emotional, physical or behavioral disabilities have a right to be educated with peers who are not disabled. Otherwise, schools must show that a disabled student cannot receive an adequate education except in a more-restrictive setting.

Read more: http://investigations.blog.ajc.com/2017/01/10/jeff-sessions-views-on-disabilities-raise-questions-about-georgia-lawsuit/