CEC Policy Insider

Outlook Mixed as New Congress Takes Helm

The following article appears in the January 2011 CEC Today.

If the first few weeks of the 112th Congress are any indication, educators can expect depleted federal education budgets, an increased focus on rewriting No Child Left Behind, and many new members of Congress contributing to education policy.

CEC’s Response to President Obama's State of the Union Address

Statement by Bruce A. Ramirez, Executive Director, Council for Exceptional Children

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) applauds President Obama’s recognition that a quality education for all students in the United States is a key factor in determining the country’s future success, and we stand ready as a partner in the efforts to make sure that “when a child walks into a classroom, it should be a place of high expectations and high performances.”

CEC has long championed building respect for its more than 35,000 members -- special educators, who work every day to improve the lives of children and youth with exceptionalities -- and commends the President for acknowledging the critical role educators play in responding to the challenges of a new global marketplace. 

Will the President Address Education in the State of the Union Address?

Tonight at 9pm (eastern), President Obama will outline his goals for the country in the upcoming year in his second State of the Union address. 

Of the many topics to be discussed, it is expected that the President will call for continued investment in education programs.  If the President does indeed call for more funding and increased focus on education programs, he will clash with House Republicans who have vowed to cut the U.S. Department of Education by as much as 30 percent.

Education funding is expected to be one of the more contentious issues this Congress with some calling for the dismantling and defunding of the U.S. Department of Education and others calling for an increased investment in education programs.

U.S. Department of Education Unveils New Data Tool; Limited Information on Individuals with Disabilities

  This week, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled a new, online tool designed to provide data on 16 key areas in a user-friendly way.  While the U.S. Education Dashboard hits on issues such as college completion rates; enrollment in preschool; and performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (also known as the Nation’s Report Card), it only provides limited information on children and youth with disabilities.  As the Department continues to refine and develop the Dashboard , CEC will encourage greater information and transparency of data relating to individuals with disabilities.

Additional indicators reported on the Dashboard include:

• High school four-year graduation rates;
• Graduates who took at least one Advanced Placement course;
• College enrollment data;
• Number of States reporting any school districts using student performance in teacher evaluation systems;
• Per pupil expenditure for students in high – low poverty areas.

View the U.S. Education Dashboard

House Education Committee Announces Membership

The House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce – which has jurisdiction over education issues – including special and gifted education – announced its membership list for the 112^th Congress. 

With Republicans now in control of the House, the membership of the education committee is drastically different than in recent years.  With nine new Republican members of Congress on the Committee and several Democrats no longer on the Committee due to an overall reduction in the number of individuals on the Committee, it will be critical to develop new and build on existing relationships with members of Congress.