Post by CC on Feb 27, 2009 12:56:52 GMT -5
Subject: Hooray for President Obama!!!
> President Signs Legislation to Double IDEA Funding:
> CEC and Special Educators Land Historic Victory
>
> After 34 years of advocating for full funding of the Individuals with
> Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), CEC and its members have much to be
> proud of.
>
> Until recently, the prospect of achieving full funding seemed daunting at
> best. But on Feb. 17, President Barack Obama signed legislation investing
> $12.2 billion into IDEA over two years, which more than doubles current
> funding for IDEA programs. This represents an unprecedented infusion of
> funding into special education and early intervention.
>
> Never before has the federal government made such an investment in special
> education. It is the culmination of decades of advocacy and leadership by
> CEC and its members, who serve on the front line of educating children and
> youth with disabilities.
>
> As any special educator will attest, 1975 marked a pivotal year for
> children and youth with disabilities when President Gerald Ford signed
> into law the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142). IDEA’s
> predecessor provided all children with a free and appropriate public
> education. With PL 94-142 the federal government committed to assisting
> states with the additional cost of educating students with disabilities by
> covering 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure – the amount
> better known as full funding.
>
> Thirty-four years later, this amount has never exceeded 18 percent. For
> decades, the lack of federal investment in IDEA has forced states and
> districts to bear a disproportionate share of the fiscal burden that comes
> with providing special education and early intervention, further straining
> systems that have been stretched thin for years. Thus 2009 marks another
> critical year for special education, now that the federal government has
> finally taken a respectable step toward achieving full IDEA funding.
>
> In addition, Congress and the Obama Administration have spent the last two
> months crafting legislation to respond to the national economic crisis
> that has affected many state budgets, resulting in cuts to programs and
> personnel and general fiscal unrest. Education is certainly not immune to
> budget crises – in fact, it often feels the recession from all angles, as
> school districts reduce spending and children of families who have
> suffered job layoffs or foreclosures attend school daily.
>
> Knowing this, CEC -- together with national organizations representing
> governors, state legislatures, education, and disability communities --
> advocated for a dramatic investment in IDEA as part of the economic
> stimulus package, officially known as the American Recovery and
> Reinvestment Act (ARRA). CEC and its members conveyed to policymakers how
> an investment in IDEA would preserve programs, prevent layoffs, and free
> up resources for other critical initiatives.
>
> In recent weeks, CEC and its members successfully battled opposition that
> sought to reduce the investment in special education by half, a victory
> unto itself. It was this most recent effort – drawing upon three decades
> of steadfast advocacy – that resulted in Congress agreeing to double
> funding for IDEA programs over two years.
>
> While this infusion of federal funding into IDEA represents the largest
> increase ever for special education, it still falls short of the 40
> percent promised in 1975. CEC recognizes that Congress cannot in one year
> provide enough funding to compensate for three decades of fiscal neglect.
> Therefore, the Council will continue to work with congressional leaders to
> ensure that the new funding level serves as a baseline for future
> increases and that a steady, substantial increase in special education
> funding is a priority for years to come.
>
> CEC-supported initiatives in ARRA include:
>
> *
> $11.4 billion for IDEA grants to states for school-aged students (Part B).
> *
> $400 million for IDEA’s Preschool Program (Part B Section 619).
> *
> $500 million for IDEA’s Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities Program
> (Part C).
> *
> $680 million for rehabilitation services and disability research.
> *
> $13 billion for the Education for the Disadvantaged, of which $10 million
> is allocated for Title I formula grants and $3 billion for School
> Improvement Grants.
> *
> $250 million for the Institute for Education Sciences.
> *
> $53.6 billion for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, 83 percent of which
> must be used to restore state support for elementary and secondary
> education to the 2008 or 2009 level (whichever is greater), whereby a
> local education agency may use this funding for any program authorized by
> IDEA, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind Act,
> or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The remaining
> 17 percent may be used for public safety or other government services
> (which may include education and higher education).
> o
> State Incentive Grants: The U.S. Secretary of Education may award
> incentive grants to states that have made significant progress in
> achieving equity in teacher distribution, establishing a longitudinal data
> system, and enhancing assessments for students with disabilities and
> English language learners.
> o
> Innovation Fund: $650 million may be awarded by the U.S. Secretary of
> Education to recognize school districts, partnerships between nonprofit
> organizations and state education agencies or school districts, or school
> consortiums that have made significant gains in closing achievement gaps.
> *
> $250 million for state longitudinal data systems.
> *
> $200 million for a Teacher Incentive Fund.
> *
> $650 million for education technology.
> *
> $1.1 billion for Early Head Start and $1 billion for Head Start.
> *
> $2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program.
> *
> Extending to July 1, 2009, the moratoria for several controversial
> Medicaid regulations that would cut or eliminate reimbursement for
> targeted case management, transportation, rehabilitation, and
> administrative claiming.
>
> Going forward, CEC plans help special educators understand the
> ramifications of these economic stimulus provisions and how to effectively
> and efficiently use the money to improve educational outcomes for children
> and youth with disabilities. CEC also stands ready to collaborate with the
> Obama Administration and Congress to ensure all children and youth receive
> the high-quality education they need and deserve.
>
> Read the official CEC press release celebrating the passage of the
> economic stimulus bill.
>
> CEC’s Policy Initiatives
>
> CEC recently unveiled its 2009–2011 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, a blueprint
> for CEC’s policy initiatives over the next two-year congressional cycle.
> At this time, there are numerous policy challenges and opportunities that
> directly impact children and youth with exceptionalities and special
> education professionals.
>
> CEC is committed to ensuring that its members’ voice is heard in public
> policy forums where special education decisions are made or influenced.
> While there are many legislative areas of concern to CEC members, CEC’s
> Public Policy Agenda represents those indicated as priorities. It is not
> intended to be an exclusive list, but rather serves as a guideline for the
> Council’s policy and advocacy work.
>
> CEC’s policy initiatives include:
>
> *
> Honoring Congress’ pledge to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities
> Education Act and Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left
> Behind Act, rejecting years of broken promises to America’s school
> children, educators, and communities.
> *
> Ensuring students with disabilities and gifts and talents are meaningfully
> included in assessment and accountability systems within local, state, and
> federal education systems.
> *
> Ensuring that students with gifts and talents are equitably and
> appropriately identified and served in an effort to grow America’s
> domestic talent pipeline.
> *
> Addressing persistent personnel shortages in the recruitment, retention,
> and professional development of special education professionals –
> including teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, and
> researchers. Despite increases in the number of children and youth
> requiring special education services, personnel shortages for special
> education and related services professionals continue to exist.
> *
> Addressing the dropout crisis and postsecondary opportunities for students
> with disabilities.
> *
> Ensuring that medical services provided through Medicaid to children and
> youth with disabilities by school districts and early intervention
> programs remain intact.
> *
> Publishing the final regulations for IDEA’s Infants and Toddlers with
> Disabilities Program (Part C).
>
> Read CEC’s 2009-2011 Policy Agenda.
>
> Continued Commitment to Advocacy for Children and Youth with Disabilities
>
> As the 111th Congress gets underway and the Obama Administration sets its
> priorities, it is critical that CEC and its members continue to be active
> advocates for children and youth with disabilities and the professionals
> who work on their behalf. As we have seen, the collective voice of CEC
> members helps secure policy victories. CEC encourages you to become
> involved today!
>
> Three ways to become an effective advocate:
>
> 1.
> Sign up for CEC’s Policy Insider, a free, weekly e-newsletter that
> provides updates on the latest policy issues impacting CEC members.
> 2.
> Become a CEC Congressional Liaison. Do you have a good professional or
> personal relationship with a member of Congress or their staff? Or are you
> interested in developing a relationship with a policymaker? If so, let CEC
> know that you would like to enhance our ongoing advocacy efforts.
> 3.
> Interested in becoming more involved but unsure of how to go about it?
> Every CEC unit and division has a Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
> Coordinator who serves as a policy liaison. E-mail Elisabeth Williams for
> more information.
>
> CEC Today is a publication of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
> CEC members may distribute published content for educational purposes
> President Signs Legislation to Double IDEA Funding:
> CEC and Special Educators Land Historic Victory
>
> After 34 years of advocating for full funding of the Individuals with
> Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), CEC and its members have much to be
> proud of.
>
> Until recently, the prospect of achieving full funding seemed daunting at
> best. But on Feb. 17, President Barack Obama signed legislation investing
> $12.2 billion into IDEA over two years, which more than doubles current
> funding for IDEA programs. This represents an unprecedented infusion of
> funding into special education and early intervention.
>
> Never before has the federal government made such an investment in special
> education. It is the culmination of decades of advocacy and leadership by
> CEC and its members, who serve on the front line of educating children and
> youth with disabilities.
>
> As any special educator will attest, 1975 marked a pivotal year for
> children and youth with disabilities when President Gerald Ford signed
> into law the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142). IDEA’s
> predecessor provided all children with a free and appropriate public
> education. With PL 94-142 the federal government committed to assisting
> states with the additional cost of educating students with disabilities by
> covering 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure – the amount
> better known as full funding.
>
> Thirty-four years later, this amount has never exceeded 18 percent. For
> decades, the lack of federal investment in IDEA has forced states and
> districts to bear a disproportionate share of the fiscal burden that comes
> with providing special education and early intervention, further straining
> systems that have been stretched thin for years. Thus 2009 marks another
> critical year for special education, now that the federal government has
> finally taken a respectable step toward achieving full IDEA funding.
>
> In addition, Congress and the Obama Administration have spent the last two
> months crafting legislation to respond to the national economic crisis
> that has affected many state budgets, resulting in cuts to programs and
> personnel and general fiscal unrest. Education is certainly not immune to
> budget crises – in fact, it often feels the recession from all angles, as
> school districts reduce spending and children of families who have
> suffered job layoffs or foreclosures attend school daily.
>
> Knowing this, CEC -- together with national organizations representing
> governors, state legislatures, education, and disability communities --
> advocated for a dramatic investment in IDEA as part of the economic
> stimulus package, officially known as the American Recovery and
> Reinvestment Act (ARRA). CEC and its members conveyed to policymakers how
> an investment in IDEA would preserve programs, prevent layoffs, and free
> up resources for other critical initiatives.
>
> In recent weeks, CEC and its members successfully battled opposition that
> sought to reduce the investment in special education by half, a victory
> unto itself. It was this most recent effort – drawing upon three decades
> of steadfast advocacy – that resulted in Congress agreeing to double
> funding for IDEA programs over two years.
>
> While this infusion of federal funding into IDEA represents the largest
> increase ever for special education, it still falls short of the 40
> percent promised in 1975. CEC recognizes that Congress cannot in one year
> provide enough funding to compensate for three decades of fiscal neglect.
> Therefore, the Council will continue to work with congressional leaders to
> ensure that the new funding level serves as a baseline for future
> increases and that a steady, substantial increase in special education
> funding is a priority for years to come.
>
> CEC-supported initiatives in ARRA include:
>
> *
> $11.4 billion for IDEA grants to states for school-aged students (Part B).
> *
> $400 million for IDEA’s Preschool Program (Part B Section 619).
> *
> $500 million for IDEA’s Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities Program
> (Part C).
> *
> $680 million for rehabilitation services and disability research.
> *
> $13 billion for the Education for the Disadvantaged, of which $10 million
> is allocated for Title I formula grants and $3 billion for School
> Improvement Grants.
> *
> $250 million for the Institute for Education Sciences.
> *
> $53.6 billion for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, 83 percent of which
> must be used to restore state support for elementary and secondary
> education to the 2008 or 2009 level (whichever is greater), whereby a
> local education agency may use this funding for any program authorized by
> IDEA, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind Act,
> or the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The remaining
> 17 percent may be used for public safety or other government services
> (which may include education and higher education).
> o
> State Incentive Grants: The U.S. Secretary of Education may award
> incentive grants to states that have made significant progress in
> achieving equity in teacher distribution, establishing a longitudinal data
> system, and enhancing assessments for students with disabilities and
> English language learners.
> o
> Innovation Fund: $650 million may be awarded by the U.S. Secretary of
> Education to recognize school districts, partnerships between nonprofit
> organizations and state education agencies or school districts, or school
> consortiums that have made significant gains in closing achievement gaps.
> *
> $250 million for state longitudinal data systems.
> *
> $200 million for a Teacher Incentive Fund.
> *
> $650 million for education technology.
> *
> $1.1 billion for Early Head Start and $1 billion for Head Start.
> *
> $2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program.
> *
> Extending to July 1, 2009, the moratoria for several controversial
> Medicaid regulations that would cut or eliminate reimbursement for
> targeted case management, transportation, rehabilitation, and
> administrative claiming.
>
> Going forward, CEC plans help special educators understand the
> ramifications of these economic stimulus provisions and how to effectively
> and efficiently use the money to improve educational outcomes for children
> and youth with disabilities. CEC also stands ready to collaborate with the
> Obama Administration and Congress to ensure all children and youth receive
> the high-quality education they need and deserve.
>
> Read the official CEC press release celebrating the passage of the
> economic stimulus bill.
>
> CEC’s Policy Initiatives
>
> CEC recently unveiled its 2009–2011 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, a blueprint
> for CEC’s policy initiatives over the next two-year congressional cycle.
> At this time, there are numerous policy challenges and opportunities that
> directly impact children and youth with exceptionalities and special
> education professionals.
>
> CEC is committed to ensuring that its members’ voice is heard in public
> policy forums where special education decisions are made or influenced.
> While there are many legislative areas of concern to CEC members, CEC’s
> Public Policy Agenda represents those indicated as priorities. It is not
> intended to be an exclusive list, but rather serves as a guideline for the
> Council’s policy and advocacy work.
>
> CEC’s policy initiatives include:
>
> *
> Honoring Congress’ pledge to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities
> Education Act and Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left
> Behind Act, rejecting years of broken promises to America’s school
> children, educators, and communities.
> *
> Ensuring students with disabilities and gifts and talents are meaningfully
> included in assessment and accountability systems within local, state, and
> federal education systems.
> *
> Ensuring that students with gifts and talents are equitably and
> appropriately identified and served in an effort to grow America’s
> domestic talent pipeline.
> *
> Addressing persistent personnel shortages in the recruitment, retention,
> and professional development of special education professionals –
> including teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, and
> researchers. Despite increases in the number of children and youth
> requiring special education services, personnel shortages for special
> education and related services professionals continue to exist.
> *
> Addressing the dropout crisis and postsecondary opportunities for students
> with disabilities.
> *
> Ensuring that medical services provided through Medicaid to children and
> youth with disabilities by school districts and early intervention
> programs remain intact.
> *
> Publishing the final regulations for IDEA’s Infants and Toddlers with
> Disabilities Program (Part C).
>
> Read CEC’s 2009-2011 Policy Agenda.
>
> Continued Commitment to Advocacy for Children and Youth with Disabilities
>
> As the 111th Congress gets underway and the Obama Administration sets its
> priorities, it is critical that CEC and its members continue to be active
> advocates for children and youth with disabilities and the professionals
> who work on their behalf. As we have seen, the collective voice of CEC
> members helps secure policy victories. CEC encourages you to become
> involved today!
>
> Three ways to become an effective advocate:
>
> 1.
> Sign up for CEC’s Policy Insider, a free, weekly e-newsletter that
> provides updates on the latest policy issues impacting CEC members.
> 2.
> Become a CEC Congressional Liaison. Do you have a good professional or
> personal relationship with a member of Congress or their staff? Or are you
> interested in developing a relationship with a policymaker? If so, let CEC
> know that you would like to enhance our ongoing advocacy efforts.
> 3.
> Interested in becoming more involved but unsure of how to go about it?
> Every CEC unit and division has a Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
> Coordinator who serves as a policy liaison. E-mail Elisabeth Williams for
> more information.
>
> CEC Today is a publication of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).
> CEC members may distribute published content for educational purposes
