CEC Policy Insider

FY 2016 Omnibus: Increases Proposed for Special and Gifted Education!

The final text of the FY 2016 Omnibus was filed by Congress early this morning. Another short – term continuing resolution will likely be voted on by Congress in the next couple of days followed by the FY 2016 Omnibus.

CEC’s Advocacy voice was heard! While most education programs are recommended to be frozen at FY 15 amounts, both special and gifted education are slated for increases.

The following CEC supported programs are recommended to receive increases in the Omnibus for FY 2016 including:

• IDEA Part B = +$415 million
• IDEA Preschool Program = +$15 million
• IDEA Part C = +$20 million
• IDEA Part D
  • Technical Assistance and Dissemination = +$2.5 million
  • Technology and media services = +$2 million
• Javits Gifted and Talented = +$2 million

Research in Special Education was not cut as recommended by both the House and Senate. The Omnibus recommends $54 million which is the FY 2015 funded level. All other special education programs are recommended to be frozen at FY 15 levels. Unfortunately, the rider to block the proposed higher education teacher preparation regulations are not included in the omnibus. It is anticipated the U.S. Department of Education will release these regulations in the very near future.

Thank you CEC members for your tireless advocacy. Your persistent efforts have made a difference! Stay tuned for future news on the passage of the FY 2016 Omnibus.  

CEC Reflects on the Leadership of Melody Musgrove

In a few days Dr. Melody Musgrove will step down as Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Musgrove was appointed to her position by President Obama in 2010 and has ably led the special education program within the Department of Education since August 2010.

While Dr. Musgrove led many policy, research and practice reform efforts during her tenure, her legacy is Results-Driven Accountability (RDA). In May 2014, Secretary Duncan announced that the U.S. Department of Education would be implementing a revised accountability system under the IDEA know as Results-Driven Accountability, which would shift the Department’s accountability efforts from a primary emphasis on compliance to a framework that focuses on improved results for students with disabilities, while continuing to assist States in ensuring compliance with the IDEA’s requirements.

Michael Yudin, the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), said in a statement: "I want to thank Melody for her outstanding service to the Department and her tireless commitment to improving the lives of America's children and youth with disabilities. Through her leadership, she played a critical role in strengthening accountability for students with disabilities, helping move us from a compliance-focused approach to one driven by results. In the years ahead, we expect this will significantly help students with disabilities reach their education potential."

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) appreciates Dr. Musgrove’s willingness to reach out and partner with our association in so many ways throughout her five year tenure as Director of OSEP. CEC members had many opportunities to share and collaborate with Dr. Musgrove, leading to better outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.  

As Dr. Musgrove begins her next life’s journey, CEC pays tribute to her dedication and commitment, proactive leadership and professionalism and wishes her the very best in the future. Thank you Dr. Musgrove!

ED and HHS Seek Input on Draft Family Engagement Policy Statement

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have established the Early Learning Interagency Policy Board (IPB) to develop policy recommendations and improve program coordination and quality across federally funded early learning and development programs serving children from birth through age eight. Previously, ED and HHS have released policy statements on Expulsion and Suspension Polices in Early Childhood Settings and Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs based on public comments received.  This and other resources can be found at www.ed.gov/early-learning.

Having received public input, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Departments) are proposing to release a policy statement on the implementation of effective family engagement practices from the early years to the early grades. This statement refers to the implementation of these practices with ALL families. It is the purpose of this blog to request comments on the proposed statement to inform the final document. Please comment on the draft statement through December 21st, 2015 by emailing ECD@acf.hhs.gov.

Want to Know More About ESSA?

As you may know, last week Congress passed and the President signed into law the Every Student Success Act, (ESSA) the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It will be important for professionals in the field to learn more about the Act as we move toward implementation. CEC has compiled a number of informational materials from a variety of sources and perspectives to assist you, including:

• ESSA Conference Report Language:
• CEC President James Heiden’s Statement;
• CEC’s Summary of Selected Provisions in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);
• White House fact sheet on ESSA;
• White House report on progress made in elementary and secondary education and how ESSA will cement that progress;
• Secretary Duncan’s blog post, “Finally a Fix to No Child Left Behind;”
• Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz’s blog post, “What You Need to Know About the Fix to No Child Left Behind” (with a side-by-side comparison of NCLB, ESEA flexibility, and ESSA);
• Dear Colleague letter from both Secretary Duncan and incoming Acting Secretary King on ESSA;
• U.S. Department of Education ESEA webpage;
• U.S. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee Resources; and  
• U.S. Senate HELP Committee Press Release.

CAEP Seeking Feedback on Elementary Standards

The Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) is seeking public comment of its revisions to the Elementary (K-6) Standards through this survey in order to improve the standards before they are presented for final approval and adoption in fall of 2016. The revised standards will eventually replace the current 2007 ACEI Standards for the national recognition of elementary teacher preparation programs. James McLeskey, Chair of CEC’s Professional Standards and Practice Committee (PSPC) serves as the special education representative on CAEP’s Steering Committee for the Revision of the Elementary (K-6) Teacher Standards. Please take the time to provide feedback on these standards. Feedback will be accepted by CAEP through midnight ET or January 15, 2016.