Autism

$17 Billion For Special Education

by Kristina Chew

Published January 29, 2009 @ 02:02PM PT

$150 billion in new federal spending on education over the next two years----$17 billion in spending on special education, up from $11 billion: These figures are from President Obama's Stimulus Plan, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 244-to-188. The New York Times notes that this would "amount to the largest increase in federal aid since Washington began to spend significantly on education after World War II." The January 27th EdWeek notes that these "record increases" are being viewed warily by some congressional Republicans

... it would be tough to scale back the record increases in the bill for programs, including special education and Title I aid for underprivileged children, after the economic outlook brightens.

Being someone who believes that IDEA must be fully funded, I find this kind of thinking about special education, as something to "scale back" in good economic times, unfortunate, but not unexpected and ultimately short-sighted. There's always a need for more when it comes to special education: Our school district is fairly well-endowed (though still facing some significant budget cuts); there are 60, 70, more children on the autism spectrum and one occupational therapist for all of them. I guess it's even a luxury that we have an OT who only works with kids on the spectrum; certainly, she is overworked and in demand.

Though he's not yet 12, my son's already started "pre-pre-vocational training" (and he often seems to prefer doing these things rather than sitting at his desk). There's so much that he can learn and can do, if given the chance; if taught.

And that's an opportunity that shouldn't be temporary.

Photo by perspicacious.