Five special education professionals from Idaho volunteered their time to join other advocates to swarm Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on behalf of children and youth with exceptionalities and their professional colleagues. Representing Nampa were Gateways Principal Cyndi Cook and Rafael Cde Baca, special education instructional coach.
Organized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), more than 265 special and gifted education and early intervention advocates participated in the 2018 Special Education Legislative Summit from July 8–11.
While on Capitol Hill, the Idaho team presented Congressmen Labrador and Simpson, as well as Senators Risch and Crapo, with four issues currently challenging the field of special education and early intervention. In unison with the 265 advocates at the summit, advocates from Idaho asked the men and women of Congress to:
- Fund special education and early intervention programs.
- Fund special education and early intervention programs.• Protect public funds for public education.
- Address the shortage of special education teachers and early intervention providers.
- Provide support to ensure social and emotional learning, positive school climate, and mental health supports.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the educational success of children and youth with exceptionalities that accomplishes its mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development. Learn more about CEC at cec.sped.org.