Letter to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Mitch McConnell, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Charles Schumer, Minority Leader of the Senate - Rep. Katko Leads New York Lawmakers in Bipartisan Effort to Support Educators and Students with Disabilities

Letter

We write to bring attention to the unique challenges facing students and educators across New York State as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, we request additional support for teachers and school administrators as they work to maintain educational opportunities for our most vulnerable students through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

As you know, IDEA Part B provides federal funding for the provision of primary and secondary educational services to children with disabilities. Under this program, educators develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the unique circumstances of each participating child, ensuring that necessary special education services are available to suit their needs. Funding provided under IDEA Part B is critical to maintaining these programs and ensuring every child in New York can reach their full potential.

Unfortunately, educators and students participating in special education now face unprecedented obstacles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools across New York strain their resources to utilize distance learning technologies and maintain their curriculum, special education programs face acute challenges in providing services to children with disabilities, many of whom depend on specialized programming and in-person instruction. 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 represents a commitment by federal lawmakers to ensure the best possible opportunities for children with disabilities. 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. 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.

Congress must remain responsive to the full scope of budgetary challenges that will face school districts in the coming months. New York is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and the significant financial challenges facing our schools have the potential to impact all of our students, including those who depend on IDEA programming. Strong federal support will remain essential to ensuring our students and educators can reach their full potential.

Thank you for your time and consideration of these requests.

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