Katko: Teachers, Schools Need Increased Resources To Maintain Special Education Programs During COVID-19 Pandemic

by Contributor | May 7, 2020 9:49 am

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today led members of New York’s Congressional Delegation in requesting increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This request comes as schools in Central New York and across New York State face significant challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including growing budgetary uncertainty and difficulties maintaining educational services for children with disabilities.

IDEA provides funding for schools to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, while also establishing federal standards for special education programming. Unfortunately, federal IDEA funding has historically fallen well below the actual needs of educators and students with disabilities.

In Central New York, as schools strain their resources to utilize distance learning technologies and maintain their curriculum during the pandemic, IDEA funding is needed more than ever to ensure all students are able to reach their full potential.

To help teachers and school administrators meet the challenge of serving vulnerable students during this pandemic, Rep. Katko led members of New York’s Congressional Delegation in urging Congressional Leaders to provide increased IDEA funding and accommodations for educators in the next COVID-19 relief package.

“Many students with disabilities depend on specialized programing and in-person instruction. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, special education teachers in Central New York face unprecedented challenges as they work to meet the unique needs of their students amid school closures and budgetary uncertainty,” said Rep. Katko. “For this reason, I am leading members of New York’s Congressional Delegation in a bipartisan effort to provide increased resources under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This effort is essential to maintaining educational opportunities for children with disabilities during this crisis, as well as keeping Congress’s promise to educators and families across New York State.”

“The COVID 19 pandemic has affected school districts across New York State but districts like ours with some of our most vulnerable students and families have been impacted the greatest,” said Jaime Alicea, Superintendent of Schools, Syracuse City School District. “Through the leadership of Congressman Katko we are asking that you provide additional funding for all students including our general education students, our English as a New Language students as well as our special education students.  Supporting those students and families must be a top priority.”

Rep. Katko was joined by Reps. Brindisi, Suozzi, Rice, King, Morelle, Velázquez, Espaillat, Meeks, Engel, Ocasio-Cortez, Meng, Carolyn B. Maloney, and Rose in sending this request.

The full text of their request can be found below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer,

We write to bring attention to the unique challenges facing students and educators across New York State as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, we request additional support for teachers and school administrators as they work to maintain educational opportunities for our most vulnerable students through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

As you know, IDEA Part B provides federal funding for the provision of primary and secondary educational services to children with disabilities. Under this program, educators develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the unique circumstances of each participating child, ensuring that necessary special education services are available to suit their needs. Funding provided under IDEA Part B is critical to maintaining these programs and ensuring every child in New York can reach their full potential.

Unfortunately, educators and students participating in special education now face unprecedented obstacles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools across New York strain their resources to utilize distance learning technologies and maintain their curriculum, special education programs face acute challenges in providing services to children with disabilities, many of whom depend on specialized programming and in-person instruction. Our school districts also face extraordinary budgetary constraints as they work to maintain these essential services amidst uncertain economic conditions that directly impact the availability of education funding.

IDEA represents a commitment by federal lawmakers to ensure the best possible opportunities for children with disabilities. Federal support for IDEA Part B has fallen short of full funding since the program’s establishment in 1975, and it is critical that we take necessary steps to address this shortfall in response to the sustained challenges facing special education as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Although we are grateful that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided approximately $13.5 billion in relief for school districts impacted by COVID-19, additional resources and accommodations will be necessary to assist schools in meeting their obligations under IDEA.

Congress must remain responsive to the full scope of budgetary challenges that will face school districts in the coming months. New York is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and the significant financial challenges facing our schools have the potential to impact all of our students, including those who depend on IDEA programming. Strong federal support will remain essential to ensuring our students and educators can reach their full potential.

Thank you for your time and consideration of these requests.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/katko-teachers-schools-need-increased-resources-to-maintain-special-education-programs-during-covid-19-pandemic/

---