For Immediate Release        

Contact:
Deborah Ziegler, (703) 264-9406 or debz@cec.sped.org
Anna Baker, (703) 264-9468 or annab@cec.sped.org

President Signs Legislation to Double IDEA Funding:
CEC and special educators land historic victory

ARLINGTON, VA, February 17, 2009 — As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is signed into law, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) celebrates a pivotal moment in the history of special education in the United States. This legislation more than doubles the current federal allocation for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that ensures a free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities, over the next two years. Not since 1975, when IDEA was first passed, has the federal government demonstrated such commitment to special education.

CEC applauds President Barack Obama and congressional leaders for following through on a decades-old promise to children and youth with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work on their behalf. The $12.2 billion allocated by the ARRA will offer much-needed relief to states and local governments struggling to balance their budgets, will save countless jobs in special education, and will provide services to nearly 7 million children and youth with disabilities.

“This bill provides an unprecedented infusion of funding for IDEA,” says CEC President Kathleen Puckett. “It is more than economic stimulus — it is a long-overdue investment in special education.”

Specifically, the economic stimulus bill will fund grants to states for IDEA Part B (school-aged students), Section 619 (preschoolers), and Part C (infants and toddlers). In addition, the ARRA provides for a CEC-backed extension on the moratorium for several controversial Medicaid regulations that would cut or eliminate reimbursements for services mandated by IDEA, as well as funding for other health and education initiatives.

This historic IDEA funding increase is the culmination of steadfast advocacy by CEC and its members, who serve on the front line of educating children and youth with disabilities. For years, and particularly during the last few weeks, CEC has advocated for full funding of IDEA by leveraging its members’ collective voice, sending strategic messages to policymakers, and partnering with other education and disability organizations.

“With a consistent, strong message, CEC has successfully conveyed to Congress and the Administration the necessity of increasing federal investment in all IDEA programs,” says Deborah Ziegler, CEC’s Associate Executive Director for Policy and Advocacy. “Even when faced with mounting resistance, CEC never wavered from this promise to children and youth with disabilities.”

Going forward, CEC plans to help special educators understand the ramifications of these economic stimulus provisions and how to effectively and efficiently use the money to improve educational outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. A recognized leader in advocacy for special education policy, CEC also stands ready to collaborate with the Obama Administration and Congress to ensure all children and youth receive the high-quality education they need and deserve.

Most importantly, the Council will also continue to campaign for full funding of IDEA. While the ARRA provides a momentous boost to special education, it only allocates enough money to cover about 25 percent of the states’ cost of educating children with disabilities; 40 percent was pledged in 1975. 

“As pleased as we are with this legislation, we still have a way to go before our nation fully honors the intent of IDEA,” says Puckett.

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The Council for Exceptional Children is a non-profit, non-partisan international community of educators who are the voice and vision of special and gifted education. CEC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families through professional excellence and advocacy.