• CEC Urges Members to Learn about Candidates and Vote on Election Day; Education IS a Priority --- Special Educators Vote on November 7th!!
• Understanding IDEA 2004: CEC Workshops, Analysis, Products
• Special, Gifted Education Funding; Medicaid Tops CEC’s November Advocacy Activities

CEC Urges Members to Learn about Candidates and Vote on Election Day; Education IS a Priority --- Special Educators Vote on November 7th!!

With only five days left until Election Day -- November 7 -- CEC is urging its members to participate in the political process by learning about candidates and going to the polls next Tuesday. Political pundits are predicting that many races will be extremely close leading many groups to energize their base to increase participation on Election Day. While CEC remains non-partisan, it does encourage its members to learn more about the Congressional races and vote on November 7th!!

In an effort to help educate its members on candidates running in Senate elections across the country, CEC has developed and distributed a series of questions asking candidates to share their views on special and gifted education.

This effort -- supported by CEC’s Children and Youth Action Network Coordinators -- sought input from all candidates running every Senate election. It is CEC’s goal to provide its members with the tools needed to become informed and educated voters. CEC is non-partisan and does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate. Click here to read candidate responses.

Unsure of who your candidates are, where your polling place is, how to register to vote? Visit CEC's Legislative Action Center.

Understanding IDEA 2004: CEC Workshops, Analysis, Products

Just three weeks ago the IDEA 2004 regulations went into effect mandating changes in many areas such as IEPs, identification of students with specific learning disabilities, discipline procedures and much more. Let CEC help you identify and understand what the new requirements are under IDEA 2004 by:

- Attending CEC’s Understanding IDEA 2004 Regulations workshops - coming to a city near you!

- Participating in CEC’s web seminar IDEA 2004 and the New IEP Regulations on November 15th

- Accessing CEC’s side-by-side analysis comparing IDEA 2004 to IDEA 1997 - available free for CEC members!

 

More information.

Special, Gifted Education Funding, Medicaid Top CEC’s November Advocacy Activities

When Congress reconvenes after Election Day, it will consider legislation that drastically under funds special education and proposed to eliminate the only Federal program dedicated to educating students with gifts and talents.

In addition, the Bush Administration supports eliminating Medicaid reimbursements for transportation and administrative costs for Medicaid-eligible students with disabilities. This elimination would total $9 billion over 10 years.

Now is the time to tell members of Congress that education funding is a priority and should be treated as such when Congress considers legislation addressing this topic.

Five Ways to Take Action:

Education IS a Priority -- Special Educators Vote on November 7th! Be sure to register and vote on Election Day. Click here for information on candidates, polling location, and much more.
2. Schedule a meeting with your member of Congress while he/she is back in your home state. Members of Congress want to meet with constituents. (Click here to find out who your elected officials are)

3. Email Congress directly by personalizing a letter CEC has written on the CEC Legislative Action Center

4. Submit an op-ed to your local newspaper by using CEC’s Legislative Action Center

5. Invite your member of Congress to tour a school or college and let them see for themselves the positive contributions federal dollars make to your school.