WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, December 3, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, will host an event to celebrate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA) 50th anniversary. IDEA provides children with disabilities the opportunity to reach their full potential and equips teachers and parents with more tools, training, and resources. This event is organized in collaboration with the School Superintendents Association, the Center for Education Reform (CER), Stride, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
During the event, Cassidy will discuss his bills to strengthen IDEA and ensure students’ have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom, including the 21st Century Dyslexia Act.
The speakers will include:
Dr. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), lead sponsor of the resolution recognizing 50 years of IDEA
Jeanne Allen, Founder and CEO, the Center for Education Reform (CER)
Dr. Laura Cassidy, Founder, Louisiana Key Academy Public Charter School
Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist, Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Jeff Skowronek, Executive Director, Pepin Academies
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM ET/ 3:30 PM CT
Location: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building
If you are a member of the press and plan on attending in person, please RSVP to Stephen Lewerenz at Stephen_Lewerenz@help.senate.gov.
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