CEC Policy Insider

House Passes Ryan Budget: Education Funding in Peril

Last week, the US House of Representatives passed a budget resolution which will likely mean a $2.2 billion dollar cut to IDEA in fiscal year 2013. The vote approving the budget resolution was 228-191, with all democrats opposing the measure. This will allow the House to begin the appropriations process and determine exact amounts of funding for all education programs.

CEC is concerned about the potential cuts and worked, alongside its coalition partners throughout last week urging the House to oppose this resolution.  Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will not pass a budget resolution in the Senate this year,  and instead will follow the numbers that Congress and the Administration already agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011. This number is much higher than that just approved by the House – as such, this is sure to be a summer where the parties again struggle to find agreement.

CEC will continue to advocate for increased investments in education, IDEA, and gifted education – if this is important to you also – go to our Legislative Action Center right now and send a letter supporting Senator Harkin’s IDEA Full Funding Act. In addition to our concern about how Congress will fund education for fiscal year 2013, CEC is focused on educating members of Congress about the dangers of imposing sequestration. Sequestration refers to the 9.1% across the board cut that is set to go into effect in January of 2013 unless Congress changes the law. This 9.1% cut will impact every education program include IDEA, Special Education Research and more. To read more about what sequestration is and how it will impact you click here. To tell Congress to eliminate the need for Sequestration and pass a balanced deficit plan and budget – send this letter. Join with CEC and urge your Representative and Senators to protect education today!

U.S. Department of Education releases Civil Rights Data

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released their Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2009-2010 school year. The data is disaggregated by race and ethnicity, English learner status, sex and by disability under the IDEA and Section 504 statues, focusing on areas such as success in college and career-ready courses, teacher equity, retention, bullying and harassment and discipline.

The numbers presented demonstrate inequalities in the American public school systems, pointing out that students covered under IDEA and Section 504 are twice as likely to face out of school suspension. Additionally, though students covered under IDEA represent 12% of the students in the sample, they represent almost 70% of students who are physically restrained by adults in their schools. The report also highlights statistics that show that over three fourths of students in Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs are either white or Asian, while African American students are disproportionately under represented.

To read the full summary of the OCR data, click here.

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.

Diversity and the Gifted Gap: Ignoring the Needs of Disadvantaged Students

A front-page Washington Post from earlier this week highlights the lack of diversity among the country’s academic elite.  CEC’s response, posted to the Washington Post Web site and pasted below, outlines the nation-wide implications for ignoring such talent and points out a key proposal that is lying dormant in Congress that would right this wrong.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosts Twitter Town Hall on November 14

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today that on November 14 he will hold his second Twitter Town Hall, following the tracked tag #AskArne. The Twitter Town Hall will begin at 5:00 PM EST and will feature veteran education journalist John Morrow, who will act as moderator. The Twitter Town Hall meeting will also be broadcast live on ED’s UStream channel.

Twitter users can begin submitting questions today via the #AskArne tag. You can read more about the first Twitter Town Hall here, and get a complete list of the Department of Education’s Twitter accounts here.

Let’s ask Arne questions about educating children with disabilities and gifts and talents!