News and Views

Representative David Obey of Wisconsin, Chair of the Appropriations Committee for the House, has introduced a stimulus package that has good news in it for education. Nancy Reder from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) points out that there is $13 B for Part B and $600 M for Part C. There is also $13 B for Title I; $250 M for statewide data systems; $66 M for formula grants to states to provide services to homeless children and $300 million to provide financial incentives to teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gaps in high-need schools.

The NY Times is reporting this news out of Washington DC:

Congress Passes Bill With Protections for Disabled - NYTimes.com
WASHINGTON — Congress gave final approval on Wednesday to a major civil rights bill, expanding protections for people with disabilities and overturning several recent Supreme Court decisions.

If the bill becomes law, it could mean a change in the Supreme Court’s interpretation of disability.