Meeting With Legislators in Congress- How Did it Go?

The basement tunnels of the Hart Senate office building were quiet and deserted in the early morning of June 4. Our group, COPAA- Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates- gathered urgently to discuss our meetings with legislators about the pressing issue of underfunding in crucial education bills.

The speaker began with a question: "How many cuts does it take for a mighty oak to fall? 10,001." Her point was that bills before Congress take many attempts to get through. It requires lawmakers to know the stories of REAL people in REAL America.

As a special education advocate for children and their parents, an experienced educator, and a dyslexia therapist in Ohio, I felt honored to share the stories of children and adults who desire to participate as U.S. citizens and live independent lives but are hindered by a lack of funding.

Why?

• Nearly 8 million children 0-21 have disabilities.
• Did you know the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is 50 years old this year?
• Yet, funding for this law has never reached the 40% promised.

COPAA urged us to tell legislators to:

• Pass the IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519/S. 2217) to fund IDEA fully.
• Currently, states receive only 12% of the promised 40% of special education costs for IDEA.
• The current IDEA Part B level—$14.2B—requires states to cover over $22 billion annually.
• In Ohio, that means school districts have to address the shortfall of $837 million. (www.advocacyinstitute.org/resources/IDEAstategrantsFY25.pdf)

As an advocate, I understand why districts are reluctant to pay for support that can make a difference for students, such as assistive technology.

However, the long-term consequences are much more dire for businesses, our democracy, health outcomes, and community safety.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy states on its website: "Our country is in crisis. 130 million adults in the United States struggle to read basic sentences, making it difficult or impossible to navigate everyday life."

By FY 2025, let's fund Part B Sec. 611 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at $16.3 B. The time for action is now.

What real-life examples did I share with legislators?

Check back for my next article.

Mary McCool Berry

June 24, 2024