|
Legislative Updates and Alerts
January
2009....
|
1.
|
|
Ř
Action Needed-House Proposal Would Double Funding for
IDEA Part B and Part C!:
|
§
Congress
is now considering an economic recovery package to address the
current fiscal crisis.
On January 15th, the House of Appropriations
Committee Chairman Rep. David Obey (D-WI), released the American Recovery and
Reinvestment package which includes $13
billion for IDEA Part B-Grants to States and $600 million for IDEA
Part C-Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program. This additional funding
would more than double the current funding for both Part B and Part
C. It is critical that
you urge your Representatives and Senators to support the American Recovery and
Reinvestment package, today! Use this opportunity to
explain how budget cuts have impacted you and your school.
¨
Go to
http://cek.capwiz.com/cek/issues/?style=D to make
your voice heard!!!
2.
CEC Opposes
New IDEA Regulations on Selected Issues
§
On Dec. 1,
2008, the US Dept. of Ed. Published final regulations on selected
provisions within IDEA applicable to school aged children and youth
that focus on parental revocation of consent for special ed
services, representation by non-attorneys in due process hearing and
allocation of funds to school districts not serving students with
disabilities. CEC
expresses concern that many of the changes made are unnecessary at
this time and will not provide any enhanced protections for children
and their families that could not be addressed under current Federal
policy as well as these changes are costly and
burdensome.
3.
State Budget
Cuts Impact Program Funding for Children with
Exceptionalities
§
CEC is very
concerned about the impact state budget cuts will have on special
and gifted education programs and has conveyed this message to the
US Congress and Present Obama.
CEC is interested in hearing how budget cuts are impacting
students, educators, communities, schools and programs.
§
Email kimh@cec.sped.org with your
experiences/concerns about budget cuts.
4.
CEC Welcomes
Elisabeth Williams as its NEW Public Policy
Coordinator:
Ms. Williams
will lead CEC’s grassroots initiatives, a critical component of
CEC’s advocacy strategy.
Elisabeth’s email address for future CEC communications:
elisabethw@cec.sped.org
5.
Current
Legislation:
§
Bill
# S. 3364: ‘A bill to
increase the recruitment and retention of school counselors, school
social workers, and school psychologists by low-income local
educational agencies.'
§
Bill
# S. 2111: 'A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational
agencies, and schools to increase implementation of early
intervention services, particularly school-wide positive behavior
supports.'
§
Bill
# H.R. 6654: ‘To increase the recruitment and retention of school
counselor, school social workers and school psychologists by
low-income local educational agencies.’
§
Bill
# H.R. 6201: 'To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to
eligible States for the purpose of reducing the student-to-school
nurse ratio in public secondary schools, elementary schools, and
kindergarten.'
§
Bill
# H.R. 3407: ‘To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 to allow State and local educational agencies and schools to
make greater use of early intervening services, particularly school
wide positive behavior supports.’
6.
Special
Education Legislation:
·
Bill
# S. 1159: ‘A bill to amend part B of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such
part.’
·
Bill
# H.R. 821: ‘To amend part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such
part.’
·
Bill
# H.R. 582: 'To provide the Secretary of Education with authority to
give preference, in the distribution of certain grants under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to local educational
agencies and certain public or private nonprofit organizations that
provide training to regular education personnel to meet the needs of
children with disabilities.'
·
Bill
# H.R. 526: ‘To amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act to provide full funding for assistance for education of all
children with disabilities.’
|
