This report explains proposed 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). After the proposed new law is presented, a summary of House action is provided along with a section-by-section analysis of the legislation. A statement from the Committee discusses its intention to review, strengthen, and improve IDEA to better educate children with disabilities and enable them to achieve a quality education by: (1) strengthening the role of parents; (2) ensuring access to the general education curriculum and reforms; (3) focusing on teaching and learning while reducing unnecessary paperwork requirements; (4) assisting educational agencies in addressing the cost of improving special education and related services to children with disabilities; (5) giving increased attention to racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity to prevent inappropriate identification and mislabeling; (6) ensuring schools are safe and conducive to learning; and (7) encouraging parent and educators to work out their differences by using nonadversarial means. The report also includes a reprint of the original law in order to highlight proposed changes. Additional views from U.S. Representative Major Owens and dissenting views from U.S. Representative Ron Paul are also presented. (CR)