Loading ...“When a local school board member met with President Barack Obama [last] week, he pressed for the federal government to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The president said little in response.” – Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop.
Now that the president’s $3.73 trillion budget proposal has been released, “special education appears to be a bright spot for Americans with disabilities. … In a plan featuring flat or reduced spending for many programs, special education got a boost. President Barack Obama included $200 million in extra funds for state grants for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, and added $50 million to help young children with disabilities.”
“Other programs for Americans with disabilities are likely to fare worse.” Obama Budget Brings Mixed Bag For People With Disabilities http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/02/14/obama-budget-2012/12282/
Reading more about the just released budget proposal – on EdWeek, Alyson Klein reported a “Modest Hike” for Education in Obama’s 2012 Budget with a small increase for special education, $200 million over 2010.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2011/02/the_administration_just_releas.html
The NY Times called the proposal a Significant Increase for Schools. Although how specific line items in the education budget will be affected remains to be seen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/us/15education.html
The Department of Education released this statement regarding the proposed budget funding highlights for education.
Helps Students with Disabilities Achieve Their Full Potential. The Budget provides a $200 million increase for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) State Grants, which help students with disabilities succeed in elementary and secondary school. An 11 percent increase for the IDEA Infants and Families programs (Part C), providing an additional $50 million, will also help ensure many of our youngest and most vulnerable children get off to a strong start. In addition, a new $30 million joint pilot with three other agencies will develop and evaluate innovative approaches to improving outcomes of children receiving Supplemental Security Income and their families.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2012/assets/education.pdf
In the following article you’ll find a table outlining the education areas that have been cut by 100%!
http://www.educationnews.org/ed_reports/edu_assoc_articles/107649.html
The OMB describes the portion of the budget that has a direct impact on people with disabilities.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/factsheet/winning-the-future-for-people-with-disabilities
I don’t care who is in the white house or congress…..do we want to define our citizens, including the youngest ones among us, by their limitatioins or by their possibilities? Do we want to pay now or later when adult graduates under the IDEA are not ready for further education, independent living, or employment?…….I bet I know the problem….all these politicals were taught the “new math”…like I had to take in the 60s/70s….result: can’t calculate……..decision: Fund! Best money you will ever spend in education in re: bang for the buck!!……….