CEC Policy Insider

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!

House Votes to Increase IDEA Funding

IDEA programs were increased in the recent House passed FFY 2020 funding bill. In addition, there were overall increases for early childhood, K-12, and higher education programs. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title I of ESSA saw increases of $1 billion more than in FFY 2019.

The baton now passes to the Senate who is still working on a top line for defense and non-defense discretionary funding. Many members of Congress believe that both caps need to be raised since if not raised, deep cuts for FFY 2020 will ensue. The President’s proposed FFY 2020 budget kept the caps in place and slashed non-defense spending while raising defense spending. It is predicted by many that the Senate levels will be significantly less than the House passed levels particularly for non-defense funding.

Thank you to all CEC advocates. Your voice was heard by the House to increase education spending levels. CEC’s advocacy now turns to the Senate.

GAO Reports on Inaccuracies in Federal Restraint and Seclusion Data

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional watchdog agency, found that data used by the Department of Education in its enforcement of civil rights laws does not accurately or completely reflect all incidents of restraint and seclusion of public schools’ students including those involving students with disabilities who have higher incidents of restraint and seclusion than any other group of students.

The GAO report, K-12 Education: Education Should Take Immediate Action to Address Inaccuracies in Federal Restraint and Seclusion Data revealed that 10 percent of school districts reported that no students with disabilities receiving special education were restrained or secluded during the 2015-2016 school year. Included in the 10 percent were some of the largest districts (those with more than 100,000 students).

The GAO recommends that, “Education should take immediate action to address inaccuracies in federal restraint and seclusion data.”

GAO Letter to Congress

Murray, DeLauro State on GAO Report

CEC’s Policy on Physical Restraint and Seclusion