CEC Policy Insider

CEC’s Federal Budget Recommendations Now Available Online!

Every year, CEC publishes the Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children which provides descriptions of all IDEA programs, special education research and the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act. It also details CEC’s budget recommendations for funding all of these programs which, together, form the backbone for the education of the United States' seven million children with disabilities and/or giftedness.

New Jersey Congressman Pledges to Fight Elimination of Gifted Education in Note to CEC Members

Yesterday, the Education and the Workforce Committee within the U.S. House of Representatives voted to eliminate more than 40 education programs, citing them as unnecessary and wasteful. 

Among the programs eliminated was the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, the sole federal investment supporting gifted education.  CEC and its members have long advocated for the expansion of the Javits program to better address the needs of students with gifts and talents and the professionals who work on their behalf.

U.S. House of Representatives Rejects Voucher Program for Students with Disabilities

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a voucher program proposed by Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) which would have provided a $7500 voucher to military families with students with disabilities.

U.S. Department of Education Announces $200 Million More for Race to the Top; 9 States Eligible to Apply for Funding

Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that $200 million will be made available to continue the Race to the Top program which emphasizes education reforms central to the Obama Administration: raising academic standards, building cradle to career data systems, investing in great teachers and leaders, and turning around low-performing schools.  Embedded in these reforms are controversial initiatives such as defining effective/highly effective teachers and principals, pay-for-performance, expansion of charter schools, among others. 

$500 Million Available for Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge; New Program Emphasizes Increasing Access to Early Learning Programs

Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the Obama Administration’s intention to devote $500 million to a new Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge program.