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Public Policy Resources

CEC's Public Policy Agenda for the 112th Congress
CEC has unveiled its 2011–2013 policy agenda, outlining the major legislation its Policy and Advocacy Services Unit will work on to further the education of children with disabilities and gifts and talents.

CEC Releases Fiscal Year 2013 Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children
CEC's 2013 Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children provides budgetary recommendations for funding programs for the United States' seven million children with disabilities and/or giftedness. The Federal Outlook is designed to explain to lawmakers and their staff the critical need for funding programs for children with disabilities and/or giftedness. Contributions made by special educators and school districts help put a human touch on these abstract concepts.

CEC’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Chart
Take a look at this chart to find out more about congressional appropriations for past fiscal years, economic stimulus appropriations, Obama Administration appropriation requests for FY 2012, and CEC’s recommended appropriations for FY 2012.

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind
Gifted and Talented Education
Medicaid
Higher Education
Perkins Act/Career-Technical Education
Assistive Technology
Workforce Investment Act
Head Start
Vouchers
Additional Resources

CEC’s Policy Resources from the 2012 Annual Convention & Expo 

• Preconvention Workshop - Education Priorities of the President and the Congress: Implications for Policy and Special Educators
  In this broad ranging presentation, CEC’s Policy and Advocacy headquarters team analyzed education policies supported by the Administration and Congress over the last three years and discussed their effect on special/gifted education. The session also examined how the outcome of the November 2012 elections might impact special and gifted education in the future.
  • View the presentation from CEC’s Policy team.
• What’s Happening in Washington?
  Featured speakers, U.S. Congressman Jared Polis and Colorado State Senator Michael Johnston, spent much of their time engaging with the audience, sharing how federal and state policies are shifting to place a greater emphasis on teacher effectiveness and highlighting the importance of continued investment in education programs, particularly IDEA. Attendees were able to ask both elected officials questions about a variety of education issues, such as: linking teacher evaluations to student performance, how funding cuts are impacting students with disabilities, and the need to increase focus on students with gifts and talents.
  
  Also, during this session CEC’s Policy and Advocacy team gave an update on current issues in education policy and featured speakers Lynn Holdheide from the National Center for Comprehensive Teacher Quality and Kathy Christie from the Education Commission of the States.
  • View the presentation from CEC’s Policy team.
• Teacher Evaluation: CEC’s Town Hall
  CEC President Margaret J. McLaughlin hosted a Town Hall to receive input from participants as CEC crafts its Position on Teacher Evaluation. If you were unable to attend this Town Hall please let us know what is happening in your area and share your concerns by emailing pubpol@cec.sped.org.
  • View the presentation from CEC’s Policy team.
• IDEA Reauthorization: CEC’s Town Hall
  Participations in this Town Hall provided input to assist CEC in crafting recommendations for the upcoming reauthorization of IDEA. CEC would like to hear from all of its members regarding IDEA Reauthorization. If you were unable to attend this session, please complete a questionnaire.
• Twitter Town Hall
  During the 2012 Annual Convention & Expo, CEC’s Policy Team had the opportunity to host a Twitter Town Hall with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Alexa Posny. Secretary Duncan and Assistant Secretary Posny answered a variety of questions on subjects such as response to intervention, the Workforce Investment Act, funding for IDEA Part B grants, physical education inclusion for students with disabilities and access to technology.
  • If you were unable to catch the Town Hall, please view the archive and follow @CECAdvocacy on Twitter for more policy updates.

Additional Resources:

1. CEC’S Public Policy Packet from 2012 Annual Convention and Expo 
   A Public Policy Packet which compiles CEC’s most up-to-date policy resources.
2. Sequestration – Federal Budget
   One page flyer detailing the effects of the upcoming automatic cuts (known as sequestration) to education programs and actions you can take to prevent these cuts from becoming a reality.
3. CEC’s Policy Victories at a Glance
   CEC’s Policy Victories at a Glance, detailing recent the policy actions and successes of CEC and its members.