Another take-away that hurts

by J. Patrick Reilly

Make America great again.

Apparently that means taking away more than giving.  Some children in need are the latest victims thanks to the federal government.

The DPI was notified Tuesday that the US Department of Education has eliminated two grants that have been supporting our most vulnerable students.   Those are students with combined vision and hearing loss who receive special education services through the grants.

Late Friday, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction received notice that the federal government was ending funding for the Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project and the State Personnel Development Grant at the end of the current grant budget period. The USDE stated the two programs "reflect the prior administration’s priorities and policy preferences and conflict with those of the current administration."

In my opinion there is a word for that and it begins with bull——.

"Make no mistake, losing these funds will directly impact our ability to serve some of our most vulnerable kids," Dr. Jill Underly, state superintendent of schools,  said. "Wisconsin had planned work with these funds that includes direct support for deafblind learners and their families and efforts to recruit and retain new special education teachers. We are asking for a reconsideration to protect these valuable projects."

According to the DPI, WDBTAP serves 170 students from birth through age 21 who live with both vision and hearing loss – 85 percent of whom have four or more disabilities. The project provides assistive technology tools, coaching, family support, and professional training across Wisconsin. The program was in the middle of a five-year grant cycle totaling more than $550,000, with funding expected to last through September 2028.

"These are kids who depend on specialized support just to access their guaranteed right to a free and appropriate public education," Dr. Underly said. "Losing these dollars at this point in the year will be devastating for the kids who need these supports the most."

The cuts to special ed funding are also devastating.

"At a time when schools in every corner of the state are struggling to find and keep special educators, cutting this support is unconscionable and harmful to every student with an IEP," Dr. Underly said. "Wisconsin’s children deserve better, and so do the professionals who dedicate their careers to serving them."

The DPI plans to appeal the decision to end both grant programs as it should.

When are we going to see the pledge to Make America Great?