DeLauro Joins Ansonia Public Schools to Celebrate Securing Record Federal Funding for Title I Grants and Special Education

Statement

Today, House Appropriations Committee Chair and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) joined City of Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and Ansonia Superintendent of Public Schools Joe DiBacco to celebrate securing transformative investments in education, including record funding for low-income schools and students with disabilities.

As Chair of the committee that determines federal funding for these programs, DeLauro successfully secured $17.5 billion for Title I Grants in the 2022 federal spending package, an increase of $1 billion above fiscal year 2021. This is the largest increase in the program in more than a decade. DeLauro also secured $14.5 billion for Special Education, an increase of $448 million.

"As Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I am focused on ensuring that in Connecticut and across the country, school districts have targeted federal resources to build a more just, equitable, secure, and resilient education system," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "We need to focus on investing in our students, teachers, and school leaders and employees. As a result of the pandemic, our schools have endured widening achievement gaps, understaffed schools, increased student mental health needs, and exacerbated economic disparities. All students, no matter their zip code or family income, deserve access to high-quality public education. This year's federal spending package includes the largest increase to the Title I program in more than a decade. I am proud that this investment takes critical steps to direct funding where it is needed most."

"We are forever grateful to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for recognizing that every one of our Ansonia children deserves a fair and decent education. Thank you for closing the funding gap and understanding that our local communities cannot afford to shoulder the cost alone. This Title I and Special Education funding is critical to the well-being of our children and our educational community, and we can't thank Rosa enough. She is a true friend to education," said Mayor David S. Cassetti.

"This is monumental funding that you see once in a lifetime; the increase in Title I funding will provide necessary support for those communities in greatest need -- the special education funding will help ensure that districts have the ability to meet the needs of all learners...this is a federal step in the right direction -- for education," said Ansonia Superintendent of Schools Joe DiBacco.

The Title I program provides federal assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet state academic standards and school educational goals. Title I is the single largest federal education program and gives schools the tools they need to safeguard historically underserved students and communities.

In addition to her role as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, DeLauro also chairs the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee which determines federal funding for education.

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