CEC Policy Insider

CEC White House Event Attendees Share Their Reactions

On Wednesday, February 22, CEC was invited to participate in a special White House event where our members met with top officials in the Obama Administration to discuss special education policy issues. To read more about CEC's visit to the White House, please click here.

Following Wednesday's event, several of the attendees volunteered to share their reactions with us. Check out the videos below or visit CEC's YouTube page to view.

 

Special education teacher and member of CEC’s Board of Directors Donna Sacco from Arlington, Va., on her participation in a White House dialogue on Feb. 22 with leaders from the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

 

CEC member Vivian Correa, professor of special education and child development at the University of North Carolina former member of CEC’s Board of Directors and current President Elect of CEC’s Teacher Education Division (TED), on her participation in a White House dialogue on Feb. 22 with leaders from the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

 

Special education teacher, member of the CEC Board of Directors, and former Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Matti Rodriguez-Walling, from Miami, Fla., on her participation in a White House dialogue on Feb. 22 with leaders from the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

 

CEC student member Julie Farbman, who is studying at the University of Maryland to become a special educator, on her participation in a White House dialogue on Feb. 22 with leaders from the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

Department of Education Releases 30th Annual Report to Congress on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2008

Recently, the Department of Education released the 30^th Annual Report to Congress on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2008. The purpose of the Annual Report is to maintain continued evaluation of IDEA programs, to ensure that the law and its programs continue to provide children and youth with disabilities the appropriate services necessary for a rigorous and motivating education. The report describes IDEA’s success in a number of areas including providing free, appropriate public, education; protecting the rights of children with disabilities and their parents; assisting states and localities with providing services; and evaluating the efficacy of educating students with disabilities.

Speak out on behalf of special education and share your story with CEC!

Every year, CEC publishes the Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children, providing an overview of federally-funded programs – IDEA and Javits grants – that impact the lives of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.  The Outlook is distributed to members of Congress, federal agencies, and other leaders in the education community with the hope that a better understanding of such programs will lead to increased federal funding for special/gifted education programs.  

Make your voice heard. Throughout the Outlook are personal stories and photos of children and youth participating in special education, early intervention, and gifted education programs across the country.  These success stories help put a human touch on the graphs and charts that typically illustrate the need for increased funding for programs such as IDEA and the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act.

Stories may be submitted by anyone in contact with a student with disabilities and/or gifts and talents (with parent’s permission) – including, teachers, related service providers, school administrators, and parents.

Submit your success story and become a part of this year’s Outlook!

We have a Federal Budget! Where do special and gifted education stand?

At what seemed like the very last minute, Congress and the President agreed on a budget to fund the federal government, at least until the end of September, 2012 – notably, just weeks before the next major elections.  The total funding for the bill just exceeds $1 trillion and the certainty it brings is welcome news to states and local districts which can now plan accordingly.

1.5% Cut Restored. Importantly, thanks to the good work of CEC members and many of our coalition partners – the 1.5% cut to IDEA and three other programs is eliminated.  All funding that was not released under the last 2 continuing resolutions because of that cut will be restored.  When those funds will be available, however, is not yet known. Watch the PI blog for more information.

Gifted Eliminated. Below is a chart detailing final funding amounts for selected special and gifted education programs. Most notably, the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program was again eliminated. CEC continues to work closely with Congress to advocate for funding for this program and will redouble these efforts in the face of this elimination.

Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Winners Announced

On Friday, December 16, the Obama Administration announced the winners of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge. California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington state will each receive a portion of the $500 million allotted for this grant.

 Race to the Top is the Administration’s keystone education initiative which allows states to compete for grant money for innovative programs to make schools more effective. Of the 35 states who applied for these grants to improve their pre-kindergarten educational programs, the nine winners will receive between $50 and $100 million.  Budgets will be finalized after discussions between the grantees and the Department, and states will draw down funds in accordance with their plans.