House Passes Build Back Better Act Including New Funds for Educators
This morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, a $1.7 trillion social spending bill that creates and expands a range of social programs to address climate change, paid family and medical leave, affordable child care, universal pre-kindergarten, and healthcare. Based on a proposal from President Biden, the White House calls the bill “a historic investment in kids and families that will lift people out of poverty, create opportunity, and address systemic inequities that have disproportionately disadvantaged vulnerable communities for far too long.”
The bill includes a $160 million investment in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part D Sec. 611, the personnel preparation program that supports the development of personnel working with infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Additional school personnel initiatives would support expanding and diversifying the educator pipeline.
For months, CEC and its members have been working with partner organizations, the White House, and Congress to ensure these provisions are included in the bill.
Within the early childhood education and care provisions, states will need to create plans that prioritize increasing access to inclusive childcare and pre-school programs for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, another provision that CEC has vocally supported.
The bill will now be considered by the Senate for consideration, where the timeline for action remains unclear.