CEC Policy Insider

The President’s FY 2013 Budget: What does it mean for Special and Gifted Education?

Today, the President released his budget for FY 2013. CEC is pleased that the President clearly is committed to education and has offered an alterative vision for the automatic cuts set to take place January 1, 2013 if Congress doesn’t act. But, CEC is concerned with the emphasis on new programs at the expense of core programs. Read Deborah Ziegler, CEC’s Associate Executive Director for Policy and Advocacy Services statement below and see a chart highlighting the President’s proposals for special and gifted education at the bottom.

CEC Responds to House ESEA/NCLB Proposals

Over the past year, the U.S. House of Representatives Republican lead Education and Workforce Committee has introduced a series of bills, meant to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB).  In the beginning of 2012, Chairman John Kline (R-MN) released the final two bills, The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act. While CEC is hopeful that Congress will complete a full reauthorization of the law, CEC cannot support these bills.

CEC Member Brings UDL to the Senate!

For the past few years, George Van Horn, Special Education Director at the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) in Colombus, Indiana and current Indiana CEC President has implemented a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework across the district. As a result, BCSC has lowered its number of students eligible for special education, eliminated many discipline issues and seen student achievement gains. This week, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), highlighted the district’s accomplishments during a hearing in before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the Senate.

Congressmen Respond to the President’s State of the Union

On Wednesday, we featured CEC’s response to President Obama’s third State of the Union Address. In addition to our response, here are several other responses from prominent members of Congress that are relevant to the education community. These responses can help you frame questions and talking points for the upcoming opportunities for advocacy, available across social networking platforms.

Representative Kline’s Response
Rhetoric vs. Action: State of the Union Promises and the House Republican Agenda

Senator Harkin’s Response

Representative Rehberg’s Response

Representative Delauro’s Response

Senator Enzi’s Response

Representative Miller’s Response

The State of the Union: Education is a Priority

Last night, President Obama delivered his third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. In a much anticipated speech, the President focused sharply on the need for more investment in education and more support for teachers nationwide.

CEC’s Executive Director Bruce Ramirez commented on the speech and stated, “CEC applauds President Obama for making investment in education a priority and his acknowledgement that ‘teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies – just to make a difference.’  That is certainly true of CEC’s some 33,000 members, special educators who have devoted themselves to improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.” To read Dr. Ramirez’s full statement click here.

Tell the White House what you think!

Later this week, there will be more opportunities to reach out the administration. OnFriday, January 27 at 9:00 AM EST Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, will be answering questions on Twitter via #WHChat. At 12:00 PM EST, that same day Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for Education Policy will do the same. You can follow along with either discussion through the @WHLive twitter account.

Finally, on Monday, January 30, President Obama will host a Google+ Hangout, which is a live, multi-person video chat. You can submit questions for that via theWhite House YouTube channel, where you can also vote for your favorite questions. The deadline for submission is Sunday, January 28 at midnight ET.