CEC Policy Insider

Digital Recap: #SELS2019, #4SpecialEducation, and Facebook Live

The 2019 Special Education Legislative Summit may have officially come to a close, but the pictures, quotes, messages, experiences, and efforts of our advocates have taken the digital world by storm!

On Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, advocates shared their stories - including rallying for IDEA full funding with Rep. Jared Huffman, their favorite quotes and  anecdotes from the pre-event preparation sessions, message of appreciation for the staff and members of Congress who took the time to meet with them, and, of course, the best selfies!

To learn how you can advocate all year long, read the Policy Insider story, Advocacy 365.  In the meantime, check out the 2019 Special Education Legislative Summit Facebook Live recording to meet the advocates and learn more about how you can get involved in CEC advocacy!

Watch the #SELS2019 Facebook Live!

U.S. Department of Education Disaster Response

Testifying before the House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan announced the creation of the Department’s Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU). The new team has a director and three staff devoted full-time to managing the agency’s disaster response efforts; an additional staff member will be added in the future. The DRU supports the development of in-house expertise to effectively and efficiently leverage other resources, both within the Department and in partnership with other federal agencies and technical assistance providers (written testimony and hearing video).

Early Education Fact Sheets

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recently released America for Early Ed State Fact Sheets. The fact sheets highlight 20 key data points and priorities about what’s happening in early childhood education and for early childhood educators. Each State Fact Sheet contains data gathered from federal and national sources, as well as NAEYC’s Early Learning Program and Higher Education Quality Accreditation Systems. The data are organized to bring attention to two key goals: (1) increasing access to high-quality early learning and, (2) advancing the early childhood education profession.

Advocacy 365

 

On July 9, 2019 270+ advocates “Stormed the Hill” to champion the provision of special education and early intervention for children and youth with exceptionalities. Days after Independence Day they took to the Hill, in the tradition of active advocacy, to speak to members of Congress about five issues currently impacting special and gifted education and early intervention:

1. Education Appropriations
2. IDEA Investments for Young Children
3. Keep Public Funds in Public Education
4. Mental Health: Building Positive Climates for Learning
5. Shortages of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Providers

For 2.5 intensive days of training, advocates from 46 states and the District of Columbia meet with experts across the field to learn, listen and question how federal policy can be enhanced to guarantee the promises of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program.

From outside the steps of Capitol Hill chants rallied, “Fully Fund IDEA!...40% Today, No More Delays…” to ready advocates for their meetings. In the afternoon, Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) briefed SELS advocates on H.R. 1878, IDEA Full Funding Act, to jumpstart IDEA with $14 billion. As the day progressed, advocates met, informed and engaged members of Congress and their staff on special and gifted education and early intervention and how the U.S. education systems needs to change to meet the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities and the professionals who work on their behalf.

Now, #2019SELS advocates invite you to “storm the hill from your location across the nation,” by visiting CEC’s Legislative Action Center to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth with exceptionalities. Click on EACH link to write to your members of Congress about EACH of the bills that correspond to five issue briefs above and get the message out that special and gifted education and early intervention matter.

Fully Fund IDEA

IDEA Investments in Early Childhood

Keep Public Funds in Public Education

Teachers and Students Thrive with STRIVE

Preparation Reform Act

Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals Act

Tell Congress to Invest in Education Programs for Children with Exceptionalities!

RISE from Trauma

Thank you to all the advocates, partners, sponsors, and staff for dedicating this week to advocate at the Special Education Legislative Summit and for giving your voice and time to 365 days of advocacy.

 

 

Our Top 5 Policy Issues

Last year, we asked you to identify your top 5 policy issues via a short survey.

This year, we were able to use your input to inform the development of our 5 Issue Briefs for the 2019 Special Education Legislative Summit – which are now available under the resources tab on:

specialeducationlegislativesummit.org

 

 Policy Issues Survey Results

Check out the 2019 briefs and learn more about the issues!

Speaking of the Special Education Legislative Summit, we are expecting 274 fellow early childhood and special education advocates on July 7-10.

Join advocates like Donette...

Read more stories from CEC Advocates!