Questions about education and stimulus funding have not been answered by the incumbent candidate and Congressman in the 1st district of Virginia
Following a phone conversation on September 29 with Abigail Shilling, press contact for Congressman Rob Wittman, e-mail and phone messages were sent asking for a response to a series of questions regarding education stimulus funding.
There has been no response to date.
The questions were in reference to education stimulus money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In particular, the funds directed towards special needs or those funds falling under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Title I funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Congressman Wittman posted the minutes of four meetings he held in April and September 2009 for his 1st Congressional District "Education Advisory Council" on his website- http://www.wittman.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=237
One question yet to be answered by Mr. Wittman: who is on his educational advisory council for the 1st district?
In the April 13, 2009 minutes there is reference to Title I and IDEA stimulus funds. It is stated that a county supervisor attending the meeting was asked by Rep. Wittman to comment on issues with the stimulus money and how it has affected his district. The supervisor stated some stimulus dollars are not being used yet as there are timing issues on when to spend this money. It is also difficult to spend dollars for Title I and IDEA when it will be used up within two years. Another attendee stated that there is a struggle with reporting requirements for funding and how to handle the paperwork. Rep. Wittman offered his staff's help in navigating the reporting requirements for stimulus funding."
The other questions still not answered by Congressman Wittman:
How has Rep. Wittman's staff helped so far?
What was and is Rep. Wittman's understanding of the "timing issues" referenced in the meeting?
Does Rep. Wittman agree with the statement about a "struggle with reporting requirements for funding and how to handle the paperwork?
What difficulty does Rep. Wittman see in spending the Title I and IDEA funds with respect to them being gone in two years?
Does Rep. Wittman see any difference in these funds for IDEA and Title I under the stimulus package compared to funds for IDEA and Title I for the last thirty years since IDEA and ESEA was enacted?
What does Rep. Wittman believe is the best course of action to utilize these particular IDEA and Title I funds?
The comments by Mr. Wittman in the meeting minutes reflect a problematic theme for school divisions in the 1st district. There is not a clear understanding or acuity in applying these funds.
The comments by Mr. Wittman also coincide with the problems associated with declining success rates in Virginia regarding the education of special needs students and other subgroups.
The Virginia Department of Education just released the most recent cohort providing data for drop out rates. Some school divisions in the 1st Congressional district show an increase in drop out rates.
VDOE cohort reports- http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/graduation_completion/cohort_reports/index.shtml
In Williamsburg-James City County the drop out rate for students with disabilities doubled in percentage from the last cohort. The percentage rate went from approximately 6 Percent to 12 percent between cohort reports.
IDEA and ESEA laws have been in effect for over thirty years. These funds are articulated with the same guidelines. An elected lawmaker should be aware of this.
The lack of response Mr. Wittman has not shown much of an interest or priority in the education of students with disabilities or disadvantages.
Mr. Wittman, in the meeting minutes, appears to express the same fundamental lack of understanding in how these funds are articulated and utilized.
Candace Cortiella, Director of The Advocacy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities, made a statement regarding the recent disposition of Mr. Wittman and elected Federal officials in general.
Ms. Cortiella stated, "it appears that there is little if any interest from elected Federal officials on how the education funds provided in the Recovery Act are being used."
The Advocacy Institute has created a watch dog project for each state and their use of IDEA stimulus funds called IDEA Money Watch- http://www.ideamoneywatch.com/main/.
The data from the Virginia Department of Education indicates a growing problem with providing a free and appropriate education for special needs students and other subgroups.
The stimulus funds represent a substantial resource to address this problem.
It is a reasonable conclusion that the proper allocation of these funds could help to decrease the drop out rate. This presents an opportunity to positively change the current disposition of education in Virginia, specifically, the education of students with disabilities and other subgroups.
Congressman Wittman should respond to these needs in an effective and prompt manner. Time is of the essence. Children, parents and taxpayers are suffering the effects of not applying the resources available with the stimulus funds.
Where is the Congressman from the 1st District of Virginia on these issues?
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