[JPI] fed funding for Students with Disabilties

[Cecelia Hawkins]

UCC JPANet Weekly Message #13:
  SUPPORT FULL FUNDING TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

  The federal government requires very expensive staffing
  qualifications and small classes in addition to other
  arrangements for children who need special help.  These
  are important investments in vulnerable children, but at the
  same time significant expenses.  Federally-required
  spending for special education makes up 38 percent of the
  total increase in all education spending since 1967 (figures
  from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities).

  Funding for special education needs is mandated through the
  Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA).  However, IDEA
  has been the largest unfunded mandate that the federal
  government passes down to the school districts.  The federal
  government does not sufficiently help school districts pay for
  what the law requires.  Although IDEA allows for the federal
  government to pay 40 percent of the cost of mandated
  special education services, Congress has never actually
  allocated more than approximately 17 percent.  Since states
  cannot cover all of these costs, local school districts have
  been forced to squeeze other programs in order to pay
  for special education.

  Contact your senators and urge them to support full, mandatory
  federal funding of the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA).
  Ask them to support federal funding of the mandates of this
  legislation at the 40 percent amount authorized in the original
  1975 landmark law that guarantees a free, appropriate public
  education for all students with disabilities.

  In addition, ask your senators to move funding for IDEA to the
  mandatory rather than discretionary side of the federal budget,
  to protect this important program from political wrangling
  every year during the budget and appropriations process.

  The advocacy focus is on the Senate because the House Committee
  on Education and the Workforce has defeated amendments to fully
  fund IDEA and to make this funding mandatory.

  To send a letter to your senator go to:
  http://www.ucctakeaction.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=5006

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