JUDITH HEUMANN: Thanks, Corinne, and great to be with you today and on the third, and thank you again to everyone who's tuned in to this program today. I'm glad we were able to have this opportunity to talk with you and to really exchange good information. We look forward to working with you through the variety of technical assistance programs that will be available over the coming weeks, months and years.

We've spent a lot of time this afternoon talking about the success of IDEA over the past 25 years and the challenges that lie before us. Often, our language is focused in IDEA as a law and a tool for students with disabilities, but we really have to remember that few of this accomplishments would have happened if it had not been for the work of the millions of people who have turned this law into a force of change in the lives of children. I say this from my personal experience on two fronts -- first, as the daughter of parents who were relentless in forging a path for my success, despite the enormous stumbling blocks that would have made others give up, and second, as an advocate who continues to be inspired by the enormous strides that educators, administrators, advocates, students and families are making every day. We're doing what our critics would have called impossible, but today, millions of children with disabilities are learning and succeeding in school, at home and on the job. They are part our nation's efforts to raise standards and increase student achievement. I'm especially proud of the work that's been done to ensure that under IDEA and its '97 amendments, students with disabilities will play a major role in the success of education improvement efforts.

It's been a true team effort. We have had committed bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and forged strong ties and collaboration among disability and education groups, parents, students and communities all across this nation. We've come a long way from the days when many believed that IDEA was mainly access. Through the dedication of thousands of hard-working individuals, today's focus is clearly about results for children with disabilities and non-disabled children together. One of the greatest legacies of the IDEA is the long list of accomplishments made by students with disabilities. In sharp contrast to the days before IDEA, 40% more students with disabilities now graduate from high school. Three times as many go on to higher education. When it comes to breaking down stereotypes and changing minds, to helping us all understand the accomplishments of which disabled people are capable, there is no experience better than learning and working together every day of our lives. Thanks for joining us. We look forward to working with you over the coming year. (Applause)