Power Grid Blog
Profound Effects
February 28, 2013 | Adam Abosedra
Across-the-board spending cuts, known as the “Sequester,” will reduce federal spending by $85 billion and are scheduled to begin tomorrow, unless Congressional leadership and the President are able to reach a compromise.
These automatic cuts will have a profound effect for students with disabilities. Funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is expected to be reduced by over $500 million. “IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.” States, however, are required to provide the services under IDEA to students with disabilities, with or without federal funding and will have to implement drastic cuts to cover the gap created from the absence of funding for IDEA. The cuts are not expected until the 2013-2014 school year. However, the time frame provides a very limited window of time and forces school districts to scramble to find a way to provide the essential resources for students with disabilities to succeed in the classroom.
Contact your Representatives and Senators. Urge them to avoid the potential chaos caused by the Sequester. Students with disabilities deserve a well-organized, sophisticated budget process that ensures their resources to succeed; not one forced on a scrambling process, because of the inability of members of Congress to reach a compromise, which they’re elected to do.
