Thursday, July 23, 2015

Message from Advisory Commission on Special Education Chair, Gina Plate for Supporting Gull Funding of the IDEA

Dear Special Education Funding Supporter:

 

We invite you to participate in this national effort that focuses on the urgent need for Congress and the President to fund the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) promise to provide 40% of the average per pupil expenditure to states. Based on 2013–14 data, this would result in over $1.6 billion in additional funding for special education programs in California, alone! Attached please find both state and national data statistics. We ask that you share this with your membership at the state and federal levels. Thank you!

                                    

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

July 24, 2015, and October 30, 2015

National Call-In Days

Fully Fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Promise

 

On Friday, July 24, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education, led by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), will host a large-scale celebration in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We are calling on school administrators, teachers, advocates, parents, and students nationwide to use this special opportunity to call and email members of Congress and the President to urge them to FULLY FUND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Friday, October 30, 2015, marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the federal IDEA, which included the promise by Congress to fund 40% of the average per-pupil expenditure to offset the costs of providing educational programs and services to students with disabilities.

We are calling on school administrators, teachers, advocates, parents, and students nationwide to use this special opportunity to call and email members of Congress and the President to urge them to FULLY FUND THE IDEA PROMISE.

 

 

Below is a TOOLKIT to assist you with this effort.

 

Where will I find my Congressional Representative’s contact information?

You can find your Congressional Representative contact information here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/. However, before you enter this website, you will need your zip code and four-digit zip code extension. The four-digit extension can be found here: https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction_input

How do I contact the President?

You can call, write, or email President Barack Obama. Contact information is located here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call

What should I say in my communication to my Congressional Representative and the President?

We recommend you politely ask your Congressional Representative to support increased federal funding for special education programs and services. Below are some bullet points for your use:

·         As we approach the 40th anniversary of the passage of landmark federal legislation that protects the rights of students with disabilities by ensuring that everyone receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE), we respectfully urge Congressman/woman ______________ to support a major funding increase for special education programs and services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The lack of federal funding impacts our ability to implement the strategies and services to our most vulnerable student population that are proven effective in improving achievement.

·         The cost of federally mandated special education services continues to rise, and the population of students with high-cost disabilities is increasing nationwide. The federal appropriation is not keeping pace with rising costs and we call on Congress to increase funding for these federally mandated responsibilities.

·         It is critical that Congress and the President make a permanent investment in IDEA funding by meeting the federal commitment to fund special education programs at the 40% of the average per-pupil expenditure level. It is time that this long-standing commitment to fund federal special education mandates be met.

SPREAD THE WORD

Please forward this e-mail to 5 friends and colleagues.

Ask them to e-mail or call Congress on

July 24, 2015, and October 30, 2015

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