DCDT Policy and advocacy committee

Policy & Advocacy CommitteeKimberly OsmaniChairThe Many Shades of Gray: All the Key Policy/Legislation Info You Need to Know to Perform Effectively! 1

Points of interestIntroductionsHistory of CommitteeVision for the FutureHot Topics in Transition and EmploymentWIOAESEA/NCLBHEAIDEAWhos who?Jim Martin, President, DCDT & Director of Zarrow Center & Prof at U. of OklahomaKim Osmani, Transition Coordinator, OK Department of Rehabilitation ServicesStacie Dojonovic, Transition Specialist, Public Schools in Pittsburgh, PADale Matusevich, Transition Coordinator, DE State Department of EducationJane Razeghi, Executive Director, DCDTOur Wishful thinking for this sessionCommit to knowing policy & legislation that helps you make a difference at any level!

Consider becoming a member of DCDTs Policy & Advocacy Committee!!!

Have fun & make friends along the wayespecially with a little wine & cheese!

The many shades of grayHistory of the Policy & Advocacy Committee..(formerly known as the Governmental Relations or Affairs Committee)Transition services, etc. for students & youth with disabilities didnt used to be in the legislation (DCDT helped make that happen)Testifying, testimony, letters.meetings on the hill!Vision for the futureA fully functioning, active Policy & Advocacy Committee that influences policy at several levels:National (capitol hill; CEC)StateLocal

How legislation & policy have made a differenceIn PA...

In DE

In OK

Nationally.

Level funding, if not increased for VR services (1-4 state/fed)Interim studiesBlue Ribbon PanelDeveloping own in-state Legislative Summit for February or March 20167Some interesting hot topicsWIOA

Elementary & SecondaryEducation Act (ESEA)HEETA (formerly HEA)

IDEA

Workforce innovation and opportunity act (WIOA)2014 Reauthorization (had been 15 years)Competitive Integrated Employment (compensation and benefits)Student v. Youth and 15% of funds for Pre-Employment Transition ServicesCollaboration, partnerships, teamwork for coordinated servicesSubminimum wage, contracts, sheltered employment (July 22, 2016)Awaiting final regulations (late spring 2016)

Esea (info and update from cec)2015 House vs Senate Total Opposites

Where are we in the legislative process?(waiting for)Passage by House &Passage by SenateEducation Committee Education Committee

ESEA Reauthorization (CEC update)Student Success Act (HR 5) passed July 8, 2015 (218-213)CEC opposed, as did most of the disability communityEvery Child Achieves Act (S 1177) passed July 16, 2015CEC supported many provisions & opposed many provisionsExamples of CECs Selected ESEA Reauthorization Conference RecommendationsMaintainAccountability or students with disabilitiesProvisions on disciplinePersonnel qualificationsFiscal resourcesFocusProfessional developmentHigh ability studentsProhibition on Title I portability issues & vouchers

12Higher Education and Employment transparency act (HEetA)Expired at end of 2013 and introduced to the House in March 2015H.R.1573 114th Congress (2015-2016)Student loans, Pell for low and middle income, teacher preparation and disadvantaged studentsStreamlining and easing financial aid processForming work groups on: accreditation, accountability, affordability and financial aid, and sexual assault and safety

13Higher ed employment transparency act (HeEtA)Republican focus:empowering students to make informed decisionssimplifying and improving student aidpromoting innovationincreasing access and completionensuring strong accountability while limiting the federal roleConcern that ESEA issues delay this as well14Individuals with disabilities education act (iDEA)S.130 114th Congress (2015-2016)Full Funding Act with intent to increase funding each year until 2025 when funded at 100%Now is the time to prepare

15A Very Important Partner.Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in Arlington, VA!!! Go to: www.cec.sped.orgThanks to Deb Ziegler, CECs Director of Policy & AdvocacyPolicy Insider BlogCEC Policies & PositionsCEC Action Network (Kim is DCDTs rep to that)

16Resources Available Through the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)Issue briefs on a couple of hot topic areas in special and gifted education that you may find interesting and helpful. https://www.cec.sped.org/Policy-and-Advocacy/Current-Sped-Gifted-Issues/Issue-BriefsEarly ChildhoodSchool Climate & Mental Health

17Resources Available Through the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)In addition, some resources on the annual budget and CECs requests re appropriations. https://www.cec.sped.org/~/media/Files/Policy/Current%20Sped%20Issues%20Home/Federal%20Outlook%202016%20FINAL.pdf

18Resources Available Through the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)www.cec.sped.orgCEC Recommendation FY 2016FY 2015 Funding LevelFY 2014 Funding Level$1,029,000 Billion$438,556 Million$438,500 Million19

More CEC Resources www.cec.sped.orgCEC Professional Policies and Positions Recent Policies CEC's Position and Background Information on Special Education Teacher Evaluation

CEC's Position on Special Education Teacher Evaluation (position only)CEC's Policy on Children with Exceptionalities in Charter Schools CEC's Position on School VouchersCEC's Policy on Physical Restraint and Seclusion Procedures in School Settings 20More CEC Resources www.cec.sped.orgCEC Professional Policies and Positions Recent Policies CEC's Policy on Safe and Positive School ClimateCEC's Position on Response to Intervention CEC's Policy on Assessment and AccountabilityCEC's Policy on Exit Exams for Students with ExceptionalitiesCEC's Definition of a Well-Prepared Special Education Teacher CEC's Policy on Academic Subject Matter Content of the General Curriculum and Special Educators 21More CEC Resources www.cec.sped.orgCEC's Policy Manual CEC Policy Manual Special Education in the Schools Administrative and Fiscal IdentitySpecial Education and the Community Outside the Education System

22More CEC Resources www.cec.sped.orgCEC's Policy Manual Community-Based ServicesSpecial Education's Responsibilities to Adults with Disabilities Take Action! Member Resources HubForgot password? Remember Me Not a member yet? Join

23What Do You Think Are Todays Hot topics (Policy and/or Legislation)?Check with the person on either side of you, front and backDiscuss what youd like to see happening in transition services that could become policy or legislationShare with whole group!24

How Would You Like DCDTs Policy & Advocacy Committee to Function?State reps?Meetings at both DCDT & CEC?Monthly phone conferences?Articles in DCDT newsletters & other publications?Other thoughts & suggestions

25The Many Shades of GrayPolicy & Legislation are truly fascinating.DCDTs Policy & Advocacy Committee is expected to do a number of things, such as.Communicate hot topics toDCDTs Executive Committee & BoardDCDTs State SubdivisionsPrepare suggestion testimony and/or policy statements on relevant topics for DCDT and possibly present testimony26Future VisionCommunicating with you between now & April 2016 to determine if DCDT needs to be heard on certain hot topics or legislation;Bring concerns & issues to the DCDT Executive Committee & Board for further action by membership (when required)See you all again at the DCDT Policy & Advocacy Committee Meeting in April, 2016 CEC Convention in St Louis (?)27In the meantime.Sign-up to become a committee member..Introduce yourself to at least 1 other person at this session whom you dont know.Enjoy the wine & cheese!

Thank you for attending!28