House Appropriators Put IDEA on the Glidepath to Full Funding
This week, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Services Appropriations bill and accompanying report language for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 was released, which includes historic funding levels for the U.S. Department of Education. Overall, the bill follows President Biden’s proposal to increase ED by 41% in FY 2022, with historic investments in high-poverty schools and special education. The bill also makes significant increases in investments for social and emotional learning, student financial assistance in higher education, Teacher Quality Partnerships, and minority-serving institutions, which play a crucial role in diversifying the educator pipeline.
All the programs CEC proactively advocates for received an increase this year, in large part due to coordinated advocacy of grassroots advocates and a strong alignment across coalitions. Below are the details:
- IDEA Part B Section 611 grants to states: $15.5 billion, a $2.6b increase over FY 2021
- IDEA Part B Section 619 preschool grants: $503 million, a $105m increase over FY 2021
- IDEA Part C infants and toddlers grants: $732 million, a $250m increase over FY 2021
- IDEA Part D Section 632 personnel preparation: $250 million, a $160 increase over FY 2021
- National Center for Special Education Research: $59.5 million, a $1m increase over FY 2021
- Javits Gifted and Talented grants program: $15.5 million, a $2m increase over FY 2021
The House bill advanced through the Appropriations Committee today and is expected to pass on the House floor later this month. The Senate has not yet indicated timing of the release and consideration of their version of the bill.
View the bill and accompanying report language
Action Alert
CEC proactively works as a leading partner in the effort to increase funding for IDEA and the Javits program, and our success is based on a strong show of force from all stakeholders, including our grassroots members and allies (you!).
Next week, more than 2,150 advocates will join CEC and CASE for the 2021 Special Education Legislative Summit. If you will be joining us, there will be multiple opportunities to add your voice to the chorus in support of this funding.
While registration for that event is now closed, if you will not be joining us for SELS you can still participate in advocacy in support of education funding by going to our Legislative Action Center and following our simple prompts.
You can take action here, and please share this widely. As you can see, advocacy gets results!