The House Appropriations Committee recently approved a significant increase in investment in our nation’s schools and children. Among those increases are:

• $19.5 billion more for Title I programs (more than double FY21 funding)
• $3.1 billion more for special education
• $1.4 billion more for Head Start
• $443 million more for full-service community schools
• $208 million more for Career, Technical, and Adult Education
• $400 increase in the maximum Pell Grant

However, these increases will only be included if both the full House and Senate approve them. With Congress in recess, your Representative may be having office hours at their local office. Consider making an appointment to speak to them about supporting these increases in education funding. Even if your Representative is not available, sharing your concerns and support with an aide is just as effective.

In addition, there are two key provisions that National PTA is encouraging all PTA members to let their Congressional representatives know that they support:

• Critical funding for school infrastructure. Note that much of this funding was cut from the proposed bipartisan infrastructure bill, but could be added back in or included in the anticipated budget reconciliation bill. The link takes you to National PTA’s ready-to-send letter of support.
• Funding for Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs). PTA members know that family engagement is critical to student success, and the pandemic has reinforced the need for families and schools to be partners in education. The SFECs provide school districts with a source of best practices on high-impact family engagement. Illinois does not currently have a Statewide Family Engagement Center, and continued or increased funding for SFECs is critical to continue rolling out these centers across the country. The link above takes you to National PTA’s call to action on SFECs with a pre-written letter for you to send to your Representative and both Illinois Senators.