Congress Works to Finalize Education Funding Levels, IDEA and Javits Grants Face Uncertain Future

Next week, the House-Senate Conference Committee will meet to finalize funding levels for education programs such as IDEA and Javits Grants for students with gifts and talents. Funding levels for IDEA remain woefully inadequate and Javits Grants are in danger of losing funding altogether.

When the House-Senate conferees meet, they will be tasked with finding a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill, legislation that will provide funding for education programs for fiscal year 2006. As you may recall from previous CEC policy updates, the Senate approved funding for IDEA at only 18 percent per pupil cost – an actual step backwards – and the House zeroed out funding for Javits Grants for students with gifts and talents, action which would eliminate this program.

Since the President put forth his budget recommendations for 2006 earlier this year, CEC has been aggressively campaigning for increased funding for IDEA and Javits Grants. Unfortunately, the President and Congress have broken their promise – made just last year – by proposing funding levels that do not put IDEA on the path towards full funding.

Click here to urge your members of Congress to support funding IDEA and Javits Grants!

IDEA Funding Forecast for 2006
Thirty years ago, Congress committed to fully fund IDEA at 40 percent per pupil cost, and renewed that commitment in 2004 when Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004). IDEA 2004 promised to put federal funding for special education on a path towards full funding.

Now, only one year later, the House and the Senate have proposed funding IDEA Part B at only 18.1 percent and 18 percent, respectively, leaving states and school districts to pay the balance. Currently, IDEA is funded at 18.6 percent, so Congress is actually taking steps backwards!

In addition to Part B funding of IDEA, Section 619 (preschool grants), Part C (early intervention programs) and Part D (support programs) are all in danger of receiving cuts in funding. Last week, we told you that the Senate provided $10,689,746 for IDEA Part B. For IDEA Section 619, the Senate voted to provide $384,597, the same as in fiscal year 2005; for Part C, the Senate appropriated $444,308,000, and increase of $3.5million over FY '05; and for all Part D programs, the Senate provided $328,022,000, $13.6 million less than last year. These programs play a critical role in providing infants, toddlers and children with disabilities the services they need.

Next week, the House-Senate Conference Committee, will meet to determine at what level IDEA will be funded in 2006 – either House or Senate proposed levels, or a compromise of the two.

CEC continues to urge Congress to fund IDEA at the higher of the two proposed levels and will keep you updated as Congress finalizes its 2006 appropriations legislation.

Click here to urge your members of Congress to support funding IDEA and Javits Grants!

Javits Grants Funding Forecast for 2006
On June 24, 2005, the House voted not to continue funding the Javits Gifted and Talented Grants program for fiscal year 2006, action that could eliminate this much-needed program. The President did not request any funds for the program in his FY 2006 budget request. Fortunately, the Senate included funding the Javits Program at last year’s level in its version of the FY 2006 Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill.

As Congress puts the finishing touches on fiscal year 2006 spending bills for federal programs, including education, there is a strong chance that Javits funding could be altogether eliminated, if not simply under funded. Increased federal spending on the military and hurricane relief efforts could lead to the severe cutting or elimination of programs like the Javits grants.

CEC is fighting for the survival of the Javits program, and you can help. We encourage all members, especially those in states that receive Javits Grants (see below) to contact Congress and request continued funding to support gifted and talented students.

Click here to urge your members of Congress to support funding IDEA and Javits Grants!

CEC will continue to update you on the status of the Javits program as Congress determines its fate.

States that receive Javits Grants:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Texas
- Wyoming