Congress Fails to Pass Money for Education Jobs

After weeks of lobbying by educators from across the nation, and despite record layoffs occurring all over the nation, Congress failed to pass emergency funding for education jobs.  Although the House of Representatives had passed $10 billion to save educator jobs earlier this month, the measure failed to gain support in the Senate.
Needing 60 votes, Senate Democrats last week failed to muster even a simple majority for the $10 billion already approved by the House. CEC and its members had worked tirelessly with other education organizations trying to convince Congress of the real need for this money and how the absence of federal support will force many to enlarge class sizes, offer fewer courses, and fewer school days.

The impact of these cuts will be felt throughout the nation. According to a report released last week, about 75% of the nation’s 15,000 school districts expect to slice teacher payrolls in the 2010-2011 school year due to budget shortfalls. This is a significant increase from the 45% of districts which cut jobs last school year. 
CEC will continue to press for increased funding in the House and Senate, but with a shortened legislative calendar—less than 30 legislative days left in both the House and Senate— and elections looming it will be difficult. This lack of funding further increases the need to push for increased appropriations for the next school year. If you are concerned about how these jobs and budget cuts have or will impact  your school, and want to join CEC in asking Congress to increase funding for IDEA and all education appropriations, take action now! 
Visit our Legislative Action Center and send a letter asking your Member of Congress to fully fund IDEA and provide needed monies for all of special and gifted education in the FY2011 budget.

Comments

[Christina]

My district is already feeling it. Our school had a budget cut and the principal had to cut our awesome ITA. Now I hear that special education teachers are the next target. Classes will be combined to make a larger class, therefore not as many sp. ed. teachers will be needed. I am not sure how true this is, but it makes me think. What has happened to children coming first and doing what is best for them? The loss of money not only hurts educators, but also the children. More students will be in a class, which sets up more children falling thru the cracks. By having an increase of students in a class spreads the teacher even thinner than before. They will have a more challenging time addressing all the needs of the children, which can make the learning gap larger and then possibly qualifying for sp. ed. To me we are taking 2 steps back, regressing not progressing, or moving backwards not forward....however you want to put it, it is not good! Why is it so hard for Congress to realize they hurting the children, educators, parents, and futures. Pass the emergency funds and allow the students to have the quality education they deserve!

[Beverly Luetkemeyer]

We need more than money. We need laws changed to serve all children, especially the gifted, instead of focusing on bringing up the low end. I have 2 gifted college students. Both started behind private school peers and struggle to compete-both are highly gifted. They're doing ok, but some like them don't. They hadn't the background because school was "dumbed down" to pass everyone so govt. requirements could be met. Brightest are merely offered token "enrichment" and the label of "geek". We need to nurture the brightest because not everyone can homeschool or afford private ed. I wish I could have sent mine to private school. I would have, had I known how far behind they would start college. These "geeks" may be our best hope for the future.