Katko seeks additional monies for students with disabilities, special educators

To help teachers and school administrators meet the challenge of serving vulnerable students during the pandemic, U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) led members of New York’s congressional delegation in seeking increased federal funding and accommodations in the next COVID-19 relief package.

Rep. Katko and his New York colleagues requested that congressional leaders provide more federal COVID-19 relief funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides schools with funds to meet the needs of students with disabilities and sets federal standards for special education programming.

“This effort is essential to maintaining educational opportunities for children with disabilities during this crisis, as well as keeping Congress’ promise to educators and families across New York State,” Rep. Katko said in a May 6 statement.

In his central New York district, for instance, schools are struggling to financially utilize distance learning technologies and maintain their curriculum during the pandemic, according to a recent letter that Rep. Katko and his colleagues sent to leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives. They added that additional IDEA funds would help ensure all students reach their full potential.

“Special education programs face acute challenges in providing services to children with disabilities, many of whom depend on specialized programming and in-person instruction,” the lawmakers wrote. “Our school districts also face extraordinary budgetary constraints as they work to maintain these essential services amidst uncertain economic conditions that directly impact the availability of education funding.”

IDEA Part B, which provides federal monies for the provision of primary and secondary educational services to children with disabilities, is critical to maintaining such programs, according to their letter.

“Federal support for IDEA Part B has fallen short of full funding since the program’s establishment in 1975, and it is critical that we take necessary steps to address this shortfall in response to the sustained challenges facing special education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rep. Katko and the members wrote. “Although we are grateful that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided approximately $13.5 billion in relief for school districts impacted by COVID-19, additional resources and accommodations will be necessary to assist schools in meeting their obligations under IDEA.”