• Congress Returns to Washington for Lame Duck Session; Uncertainty Exists for Education Funding
• What’s the Big IDEA? Understanding IDEA 2004 Regulations: CEC Workshops

Congress Returns to Washington for Lame Duck Session; Uncertainty Exists for Education Funding Bill

Earlier this week, Congress reconvened to wrap-up outstanding legislation in what is called a “lame duck” session, referring to a post-election Congressional session where some of the participating members of Congress may not return the following year. Legislation funding education programs for fiscal year 2007, which officially began on October 1, 2006, still has not been brought to the full House and Senate for a vote, though it was approved by both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. This legislation proposes inadequate funding levels for special education (IDEA) and slashes funding for gifted education, which CEC has continually addressed with members of Congress and their staff.

It remains unclear as to when and how Congress will address the education funding measure, which also includes health and labor programs, known as the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. As the Federal fiscal year ended over a month ago, Congress has been passing temporary stopgap measures (known as a continuing resolution, CR) to keep funds flowing to education programs. The latest temporary funding extension expires on December 8. There are a variety of scenarios that can occur between now and when Congress adjourns for the end of the year, including issuing an extended continuing resolution until the new Congress convenes, grouping many of the unfinished appropriations bills together as an omnibus measure, passing the education funding bill on its own, among other possibilities. While it is uncertain as to which of these legislative approaches Congress will act on, CEC and its members have informed Congressional offices that both the House and Senate education funding bills do not provide students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents and the educators who work on their behalf, with the resources needed in states and localities across the country.

Take a moment to contact your elected officials and ask them to provide more funding for special/gifted education -- it’s easy!! Use CEC’s Legislative Action Center to find out who your elected officials are and tailor a letter CEC provides on the latest policy issues impacting students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents, including:

Proposed elimination of funding for the only Federally funded gifted program;
Poposed elimination of Medicaid reimbursements for transportation and administrative costs;
Drastically under funding IDEA
Take Action Now!

What’s the Big IDEA? Understanding IDEA 2004 Regulations: CEC Workshops

The IDEA 2004 Regulations are out – all 300 pages! But rather than you sifting through this mountain of paper – The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has done the work for you and are bringing the knowledge right to your backyard! The calendar is set to visit 5 more US cities to share with you Understanding IDEA 2004 Regulations Workshops. These one-day workshops will break down the formidable regulations into easily digestible information by three of CEC’s policy experts. Check out the complete list of scheduled stops and make sure not to miss us when we arrive in your area! Space is limited so register now!

More information.