Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Fully Fund Title I Schools in Clark County
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced the introduction of the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. The legislation would put Congress on a fiscally responsible path to meet its obligation to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis over the next 10 years. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
More than 200 schools across Clark County School District rely on Title I funding, which gives assistance to America's highest-need schools, but the program has been seriously underfunded for decades at the federal level. From 2005 to 2017, Title I was underfunded by about $347 billion, preventing southern Nevada schools from addressing issues like school safety, teacher retention, and mental health. Similarly, chronic underfunding of IDEA has shortchanged Nevada schools by an estimated $1.96 billion in IDEA grants between 2005 and 2017, greatly diminishing their ability to serve children with disabilities.
The Keep Our PACT Act would fully fund these programs by charting a fiscally responsible path for Congress to support these key education programs on a mandatory basis over a ten-year period.
"Education is the key to opportunity, which is why I've spent my career working to help Nevada students achieve their highest potential," said Congresswoman Lee. "Fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Title I will provide school districts across the country, including in Clark County, with the resources they need to strengthen opportunities for all students, regardless of their needs or what zip code they live in.”
“Every child – no matter their zip code – deserves access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed. But too many children still don’t have that opportunity because the federal government has never lived up to its commitment to fully fund Title I and IDEA – the federal programs designed to keep our promise to all students, including those facing the greatest challenges. The Keep Our PACT Act will ensure the federal government finally makes good on its obligation to invest in a first-rate education for all our students,” said Senator Van Hollen.
The Keep Our PACT Act is supported by education, civil rights, and disability rights organizations nationwide, including the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), National School Board Association, Journey For Justice (J4J), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), First Focus Campaign for Children, National Urban League, Council for Exceptional Education (CEC), National PTA, AFT-Maryland, Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland (PSSAM), Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP), and Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).
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