IAASE Team Hits Capitol Hill on Behalf of Students With Disabilities

The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) recently sponsored their Special Education Legislative Summit in Washington, DC.  On July 9, 2019, 280+ advocates "Stormed the Hill" to champion the provision of special education and early intervention for children and youth with exceptionalities. IAASE sent Kristen Bordonnaro, Megan Clarke, Sarah Epplin, Jami Hodge, Scott Hogan, Kevin Rubenstein, Lisa Shulman, and Melissa Taylor who partnered with members of the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children.  Days after Independence Day they took to the Hill, in the tradition of active advocacy, to speak to members of Congress about five issues currently impacting special and gifted education and early intervention:

1. Education Appropriations
2. IDEA Investments for Young Children
3. Keep Public Funds in Public Education
4. Mental Health: Building Positive Climates for Learning
5. Shortages of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Providers

For 2.5 intensive days of training, advocates from 46 states and the District of Columbia met with experts across the field to learn, listen and question how federal policy can be enhanced to guarantee the promises of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program.

From outside the steps of Capitol Hill advocates rallied and chanted, "Fully Fund IDEA!...40% Today, No More Delays..." In the afternoon, Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) briefed SELS advocates on H.R. 1878, IDEA Full Funding Act, to jumpstart IDEA with $14 billion. As the day progressed, advocates met, informed and engaged members of Congress and their staff on special and gifted education and early intervention and how the U.S. education system needs to change to meet the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities and the professionals who work on their behalf.

Now, #SELS2019 advocates invite you to storm the hill from your location across the nation, by visiting CEC's Legislative Action Center to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth with exceptionalities. Click on EACH link to write to your members of Congress about EACH of the bills that correspond to five issue briefs above and get the message out that special and gifted education and early intervention matter:

• Tell Congress to Invest in Education Programs for Children with Exceptionalities 
• Fully Fund IDEA
• IDEA Investments in Early Childhood
• Keep Public Funds in Public Education
• Teachers and Students Thrive with STRIVE
• Preparation Reform Act
• Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals Act
• RISE from Trauma

Thank you to all the advocates, partners, sponsors, and staff for dedicating this week to advocate at the Special Education Legislative Summit and for giving your voice and time to advocacy 365.

Team Illinois on the Steps of the Capitol
Front Row - L to R - Lisa Shulman, Megan Clarke, Camille O'Quinn, Jami Hodge, & Sheri Huber
Back Row - Skip Kumm, Kevin Rubenstein, Kristen Bordonnaro, Denise Drue, Chris Emerling, Sarah Epplin, Melissa Taylor, & Scott Hogan

All 300 advocates from CASE and CEC posed for a picture on the front steps of the Capitol.