President’s FY 2012 Budget Provides Modest Increase for IDEA; Needs of Children with Exceptionalities Much Greater

CEC will continue working toward increased funding for special and gifted education

Statement by Deborah Ziegler, Associate Executive Director, Policy and Advocacy Services,The Council for Exceptional Children

President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2012 education budget contains sizeable increases in public education funding, and the Council for Exceptional Children appreciates his commitment to making a high-quality education accessible to all of America’s children.

 CEC was pleased to see a significant increase of $50 million in funding for the Part C Infants and Toddlers Program.  Part C programs have been particularly hard hit over the years with many states having to increase fees to parents.  This wise investment is a step in the right direction for the long-term stability of this important program.

 The request also will increase funding for Part B Grants to States, but only by $200 million, keeping the federal share at 17 percent of the 40 percent average per pupil expenditure, which is considered full funding for IDEA, essentially level funding this program. Similarly, Part B, Section 619 serving students ages 3-5 and IDEA Part D programs will remain level funded with a decrease to technology and media services.  While we appreciate the president’s attention to special education, CEC is concerned that after so many years of shrinking state and local revenues, and the deep cuts that have already occurred, the president’s budget does not go far enough. 

 Another concern to CEC is that the administration has, for the second year in a row, chosen to consolidate the only program serving our nation’s gifted and talented students, the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, into a larger funding stream with other programs that do not directly address the needs of these students, making its future uncertain. Our nation cannot afford for gifted education to be an afterthought, and CEC hopes that this program consolidation does not result in the complete withdrawal of the federal government’s investment in gifted education. 

 CEC’s 35,000 members stand ready to work with the administration and Congress to develop policies that support positive educational outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and gifts and talents.