Congress's actions will exacerbate the funding shortfalls--and the fallout from inadequate funding--schools and districts already face, such as a shortage of licensed special educators to teach children with disabilities and the strain placed on local communities and states as they struggle to pay the balance of special education costs.

Congress also failed to appropriate additional dollars for gifted programs, which are essential for the educational progress and wellbeing of students with gifts and talents. Without adequate funding districts are unable to provide comprehensive gifted education services for students, or their programs are disbanded entirely.