By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions has tried unsuccessfully for yeras to persuade his colleagues in the Senate to loosen the reins on educators when it comes to disciplining unruly special education students. And he has finally succeeded. The Senate, on a voice vote, has approved new special education requirements that include Sessions' discipline proposal that was inspired by an Alabama case. The House also passed the measure by an almost unanimous vote, and the bill now heads to President Bush. Sessions will meet with state and federal education officials in Montgomery Wednesday to discuss some of the changes to the law. The Mobile Republican says they're not dramatic changes, but they are important for educators who are struggling to keep order in the classroom.