Policy Briefs (LD News June 2006)

Federal Funding Action Alerts:

Tell Congress to Support Education Funding
Congress is preparing to vote on federal appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 07). Elected officials appear ready to pass legislation that provides no increases for the nation's major education laws - No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - and wipe out some federally funded programs altogether, despite evidence that the public wants better education funding.
 
More information and action steps available by clicking here.

Save the National Children's Study
Congress authorized the National Children's Study (NCS) through the Children's Health Act of 2000. The NCS will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the U.S., following them from before birth until age 21. The President's FY07 Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides no funding for the National Children's Study.

More information and action steps available by clicking here.

Update on No Child Left Behind Commission
The No Child Left Behind Commission held its third hearing to gather input on the implementation of NCLB. Roberta Malavenda, a parent of a 24-year-old with learning disabilities, testified in Atlanta before the No Child Left Behind Commission on provisions affecting the NCLB's accountability system. Ms. Malavenda's testimony is available at http://www.ncld.org/content/view/1001/322/.

The NCLB Commission released a report on the impact of special education and limited English Proficient students on the achievement of Adequate Yearly Progress in five states (California, Florida, Michigan, Georgia and Pensylvania). The report showed that few schools miss AYP solely on the basis of the achievement of special education students despite frequent claims. The report is available by clicking here.

Expecting More...and Getting It
This video podcast report by John Merrow and Tira Grey takes a look at the nuances and complications of the "No Child Left Behind" federal education law. The report highlights a highly regarded and successful New York City elementary school, one that ranks 12th out of 137 elementary schools in the Bronx -- and #1 in English Language Arts. It's so highly regarded by neighborhood parents that they line up to enroll their children, even though the school is obligated by law to inform them that it's a 'failing' school.

More information is available at http://www.pbs.org/merrow/podcast/.

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