Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698746620974.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-31 RE: C.R.

NO.

21-86/EDUCATION SUBJECT: APPROVING A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,941,718.95 TO FUND THE FSM SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 The Honorable Wesley W. Simina Speaker, Twenty-First Congress Federated States of Micronesia Third Special Session, 2019 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Education, to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

21-86, entitled: “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,941,718.95 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE FEDERAL YEAR 2019 UNDER PART B OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES EDCATION ACT (IDEA), TO FUND THE FSM SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ASSISTANCE.”, begs leave to report as follows: The intent and purpose of this resolution is expressed in its title.
Your Committee is very familiar with the FSM Special Education program and the annual grant it receives that that is the subject of this report.

The grant that funds the FSM Special Education Program is received in two parts.

The grant that is the subject of this report is the second half of the funding for the school year 2019/2020.

The amount of funding remains the same as in recent previous years.

SCRL 21-38/CR 21-86/EDUCATION COMMITTEE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-31 RE: C.R.

NO.
21-31 RE: C.R.

NO.

21-86/EDUCATION SUBJECT: APPROVING A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,941,718.95 TO FUND THE FSM SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 During the May and September 2019 budget sessions your Committee conducted hearings with the Department of Education, including its Division on Special Education, as well as, relevant witnesses from the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Personnel.
At that time your Committee was given a detailed account of the FSM Special Education Program.

The program mandate and objectives remains the same, and reports on the status of the program below.

The Division of Special Education will provide assistance to approximately 1,900 students from the ages of 3-21 for the school year 2019/2020.
Over the years the number of students receiving has decreased slightly due to out migration, and the Division stated that it is well able to provide regular services to all students who have been identified and whose families have requested services.

There is a concern that many young people do not avail themselves to the services of the Division of Special Education and that the number of young people who need assistance may be higher than is accounted for by the Division.
The number of teachers and administrators funded at the state level remains the same at 300.

According the NDOE only five percent of the funding remains at the National level with the majority directed to the states to provide services.

The formula used to distribute funding to the states is based on a three part formula: 1) population of the state; 2) number of students served and 3) performance of the program in the individual state.
Performance reports for the Division of Special Education are available on its website.

Your Committee intends to conduct additional oversight with the Division of Special Education to supplement the information that it has received regarding its activities and performance during this school year.

The Committee remains impressed with the services provided to our special needs students and greatly appreciates the efforts of the Division.

-2- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-31 RE: C.R.

NO.
21-31 RE: C.R.

NO.

21-86/EDUCATION SUBJECT: APPROVING A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,941,718.95 TO FUND THE FSM SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 The Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.

21-86 and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted, /s/ Joseph J. Urusemal Joseph J. Urusemal, chairman /s/ Aren B. Palik Aren B. Palik, vice chairman /s/ Wesley W. Simina Wesley W. Simina, member /s/ Esmond B. Moses Esmond B. Moses, member /s/ Derensio S. Konman Derensio S. Konman, member Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ Ferny S. Perman Ferny S. Perman, member -3-