The House of Representatives is debating H.R. 1, the continuing resolution to fund the government through September of this year, the end of the federal fiscal year. Before today, this bill would have cut $557.7 million dollars from IDEA Part B Grants to States. Today, the House passed an amendment to restore this funding to IDEA – essentially level funding IDEA Part B Grants to States at its FY10 amount.
Unfortunately, to pay for this restoration of funds, the House further cut education. To pay for this move, the House voted to: (1) further cut ESEA Title I - specifically from School Improvement Grants, monies which go to the neediest of schools; and (2) to ESEA Title II Teacher Quality Grants – designed to increase capacity in the teaching workforce. Although IDEA may now get these dollars depending on what happens at the end of this rollercoaster ride, the cuts will negatively impact other programs and could mean layoffs and further increase in class size.
Because the money to fund IDEA is being taken from other education programs, CEC does not support this amendment. As two long time advocates for full funding of IDEA and students with disabilities – George Miller (CA) and Rosa DeLauro (CT) – stated when they opposed the amendment today on the House floor, these cuts represent a simple scenario – Robbing Peter to Pay Paul. The reality is that 60% of students with disabilities spend 80% or more of their day in general education classrooms. Thus, CEC continues to ask you to contact your representatives and let them know that all cuts to the education budget are not acceptable.
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