Always Learn!

Mothers who have always dreamed of going back to school to enter back into the career field may have an opportunity to do so, even if they can’t see how education can be afforded in today’s hard times while supporting a family. President Barack Obama has made funding available that is aimed specifically at moms who want to go back to school. He wants to keep them from living at or below the poverty level.

The funding, in the form of $10,000 scholarships, is available for American women over the age of 18. If time is your issue, then know that some college programs are online, which lets you learn from home. The funding will not be around forever so it would be best to apply while it is still available. These are government grants, so they do not have to be paid back.

Mothers have a busy life, we know. But it would be worth it to earn a college degree because the quality of life of the mom, and her children, would increase. After she graduates she will be a more desirable candidate for a career, and will be able to bring home more income to support her family. Her children will thank her for it, and will admire her for all the hard work she has been doing. Just think about the diploma you will receive, and how good it will feel in your hands. Imagine yourself trying on suits to wear for your job interviews and going back to work for the first day. All of these thoughts should be very gratifying, and they will be once they become reality as well.

Those interested in the scholarships should do their research. You will see information on the grants and find out how to apply.

School districts are required by federal law to pay for a large portion of special education programs and services.  These programs and services cannot be altered or cut in any way because it is federally mandated, unlike all other programs for the rest of the students. The short explanation is that federal law mandates it, as set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act  [20 USC 1400 et seq.].  This law, also called IDEA, enumerates the required needs for students with disabilities.  We all agree that students with special needs must be accommodated, additional care is necessary.  However, most of us do not know the details of the funding and spending on this issue.   In addition to the IDEA federal mandate, the State of California also sets forth special education funding apportionment in its Assembly Bill 602 SELPA [AB 602].

If you read these codes on its face and believe that the state and federal government will fund the programs as set forth in the requirements, then you’re not alone.  Must of us assume that this mandated federal and state law will come from separate federal and state funds.  Most people who I asked assumed that special education is funded entirely by federal government disability funds.  It does make sense since it is a federally mandated requirement.  The state and federal statutes require schools to provide ”free and appropriate public education” for special education students.

Here is the shocking news, local school districts are responsible for this “free and appropriate public education.”  In fact, IDEA section 1400(c)(6) cites that states and local education agencies are responsible for providing the education for students with disabilities, but that the Federal Government will have a role [emphasis added] in assisting the state and local education agencies.

If you sample a school district’s budget, you will find for example [PVPUSD] it receives $5,049M from the state [AB 602] in addition to the federal IDEA grant which is approximately $2M.  However, the actual costs for the special education programs in this district total approximately $22M.  This district has reported a deficit spending for special education in the sum of $12.5M which is almost double the amount it receives in funding from the federal government and state, combined.  This school district has to find and fund $12.5M in excess of the sum provided by the government funding.

How could special education needs add up to such a colossal amount and cause such a deficit for local school districts? In the code, you will find that required programs such as one-on-one aids are mandatory for each qualifying special needs child. Transportation, specialized at-home care and a host of other services are also required under the law.

I asked the California Department of Education why local school districts are not receiving more funding for special education requirements.  I asked how the local special education funding from the state is apportioned.  Becky Robinson of the CDE Special Education Department stated that “all funds, federal or state, must be approved by the governor.”  I checked, she is right.  The Budget Act of 2008-2009 AB 1781 (chapter 268) sets forth the budget for special education as determined by the state budget and the governor.

At a time when teachers and administrative staff are being laid off en masse, it is difficult to understand why school districts are forced to spend an additional $12.5M on special education program requirements, when state budget cuts are forcing school districts to cut teachers and programs elsewhere.  $12.5M could solve all of the local budget woes and keep the teaching and administrative staff employed for the benefit of the entire school.  The answer is that special education programs are depleting the school districts’ budgets as administrators make cuts to prioritize the federally mandated programs for special education.

Another item for budget in the statute that I should mention, is the special needs education conflict and dispute resolution.  There are law firms that specialize in representing students with disabilities and negotiate the settlement for district’s alleged failure to comply with the established statutes and regulations under the federally mandated IDEA.  This means that the statutes for special education inherently set forth guidelines for legal action following administrative proceedings should a parent identify a violation of their child’s “free and appropriate public education.”

Many school districts have greatly suffered from lawsuits brought by parents who claim that their special needs child’s rights were not met under the code.  Case in point, Porter v. Board of Trustees of Manhattan Beach Unified School District et al., 307 F. 3d 1064 (9th Cir. 2002), 537 U.S. 1194, 123 S. Ct. 1303, 154 L. Ed. 2nd 1029 (2003).

In the case of Porter, the parents of a student, who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, charged that  Manhattan Beach Unified School District failed to provide their child with a “free appropriate public education.”   This lawsuit resulted in the school district paying over $6.7M to the family of the student.  In addition, as part of the settlement, control of the student’s education was transferred to a Special Master, Ivor Weiner, Ph.D., resulting in the cost of just under $1.1M to pay for the education of the student at the direction of the Special Master.

The problem is that whether or not this school district properly complied with the federally mandated programs and services for this student, the school district was forced to make cuts elsewhere to pay for this legal settlement.   Why has the federal government mandated such broad standards for special education and then leave local school districts to oversee, manage and fund these programs?

Since the subject of budgets and special education is not a topic that people are willing to discuss, reform in this regard is unlikely.  Certainly, special education programs and services are not to blame for this problem.  This problem belongs squarely on the lap of the federal government under the mandated IDEA laws.

Unfortunately in today’s society, the need for bad credit student loans has become more common. But don’t feel that because you don’t have great credit, you will not be able to get education funding. You do have options for getting the money you need to complete your education.
There are actually some student loans that are not based on credit. Federal student loans can be gotten by almost anyone that needs one. You just need to fill out a FAFSA form and apply for a federal Perkins loan or Stafford loan. These loans also have very reasonable interest rates.
There are many private lenders that offer student loans to almost anyone, but you will be paying a higher interest rate on these loans. Cosigners are also another option for getting a loan. Many lenders will lend with a cosigner. Some of these lenders will drop the cosigner after a certain number of on-timer payments are made.
Grants are another option for getting money for school. Many education grants are need based, but not all of them. Grants can be based on many things. It is best to get a list of grants and see what is available. Most grant lists are free, but you may have to pay a small shipping fee. Education can be quite unique and may give you a resource you had not considered.
One of the best options for free tuition money is tuition reimbursement through an employer. Many people get degrees with this method. A large number of employers offer reimbursement on tuition as a benefit. Now this means you have to come up with the money for the first quarter through another option or you will have to attend a school that allows you to defer your tuition until you receive your reimbursement check. You usually get about $5,000 per years as a full time employee. It must also be understood that most employers will require you to work for them for up to 2 years after you graduate. This method allows a large number of people to get a college degree without a loan. Without a loan, the status of your credit is not important.
There are more options for students with bad credit than one might think. You just have to know where to look. Bad credit student loans are available, but you may need a cosigner or get a federal student loan. Do not let lack of money keep you from getting an education. You do have choices.

Moms who have been working several jobs to make ends meet might be able to get a reprieve through education funding that has been freed up by the government. President Barack Obama has set aside money for mothers who want to further their education and get a better job to support their families. The money does not have to be paid back, so this is like a dream come true for struggling, working mothers.

Being a mom is hard enough work, but having to support children by going to other jobs makes life a day-to-day struggle, especially when the jobs do not pay well. Going back to school can help in this regard because the income will be higher, and she will most likely just have to work one job so there will be more time to spend at home with the family.

If awarded a scholarship grant, all of the education expenses will be taken care of. Obama wants to see these women going back to school so they can live a better lifestyle and take better care of their children. Moms might shy away from this opportunity because of the time that will be lost in the degree-earning process, but online programs are available, and are convenient to women with busy schedules. If she can give up two to three hours to the program, she should succeed in earning a college degree. She then will become a top candidate for better-paying jobs and the quality of life will definitely improve.

Not only will this opportunity make the mother more confident, but the child will admire her. When it comes time to decide what to do after high school, that child will look back at what mom did and most likely choose more education because of the great life it leads to.