Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Special Education as Part of Economic Recovery



The economic stimulus package as passed by the House of Representatives includes an increase for special education funding. The Part B funds would increase by 13 Billion dollars over two years, more than doubling the federal outlay. The current federal expenditure is about 17% of the excess cost of special education. This proposed increase would raise that to an all time high of 27%. This is still way short of the long-promised 40%, but what a dramatic effect this should have on local school districts. Additionally, the funding for Part C (infants and toddlers) also more than doubles over two years. This would be a very god result for kids with disabilities.

The press release of the Appropriations Committee can be found here. A good summary by the excellent policy department at the Council for Exceptional Children can be read here. This is just a house bill at this point, it still has to pass the house and the Senate and be signed by the President. What a big change though. This must have been approved by the incoming President. All signs are good here.

I'm glad that education is playing an important role in the recovery. The economy does not exist in a vacuum; there is a pretty clear relationship between education and our economic condition. More importantly for our readers, special education is being included. At a time when many school districts are strapped for cash, the press release of Appropriations notes that these additional funds will permit continuation of mandatory special ed programs without cutting other important areas of education. This is an important bill. Please write, call or email your House and Senate representatives and let them know how you feel about the increase in special education funding.
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10 comments:

  1. loonyhikerJanuary 20, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    Jim - Thanks so much for linking to CEC! I have high hopes for special ed funding and this is a major move in the right directions. CEC has a great Legislative Action Center (under the Policy and Advocacy tab) which makes it easy to send an email to Congress. I hope your readers check it out.

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  2. JeremyJanuary 20, 2009 at 11:32 PM

    I still don't exactly get it...so the funds come out of a different pot? It's still taxpayers dollars. What if the federal govt were to fund all education at 100% (obvious exageration)...would the education be that much better? This seems more like a shell game to me.

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  3. Jim GerlJanuary 21, 2009 at 3:50 PM

    Thanks Loonyhiker,

    The CEC website is somethinng that I use often and with great results. I also have installed their news widget on this blog. I love CEC!

    Jim

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  4. Jim GerlJanuary 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM

    Thanks for your views Jeremy,

    It does all come from taxpayers, but if a district accepts federal funds, special ed is mandatory. In tough times other ed programs could be cut first. The stimulus package prevents that result.

    It also recognizes that education has an impact on the economy which is good.

    Thanks again,

    Jim

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  5. JeremyJanuary 22, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    I had a really nice comment but the computer crashed. Good points....I'm just in general worried about the expected accounting slight of hand where a district takes the additional funds and just cuts their allocation to spec ed even more than they anticipated. I'd love to hear your comments on OSEP funding of the states and whether or not they hold them appropriately accountable for the federal dollars spent (my view is no). Thanks.

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  6. R VJanuary 23, 2009 at 5:39 AM

    I have voted for your blog. Do check mine as well. Thanks

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  7. Jim GerlJanuary 23, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    I know how you feel Jeremy,

    I've crashed computers in numerous and amazing ways.

    Many readers share your concern about potential misuse of the funds, but hey at least there are now funds! I agree that caution and oversight are still important.

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  8. Jim GerlJanuary 23, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    Thanks Vinay,

    I hope everybody remembers to vote for this blog by clicking the Bloggers Choice button.

    Thanks,

    Jim

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    I hope the money is spent the correct way...I am happy to see that special education is recognized...we need to continue to educate everyone about special ed...
    Thanks for the update..
    Toni

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  10. Jim GerlJanuary 31, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Thanks Anon,

    As Sen. Dirksen used to say a million dollars here, a million dollars there, and pretty soon, you're talking about a lot of money!

    Jim

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