On July 21, champions of special education in the Senate introduced important and responsible legislation that honors Congress’s commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – the IDEA Full Funding Act.
Led by longtime disability advocate and recent CEC Outstanding Public Service awardee, Senator Harkin (D-IA), the IDEA Full Funding Act was introduced with the support of thirteen additional Senators -- Senators Durbin (D-IL), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Blumenthal (D-CT), Murray (D-WA), Whitehouse (D-RI), Leahy (D-VT), Bennet (D-CO), Franken (D-MN), Mikulski (D-MD), Reed (D-RI), Shaheen (D-NH), Johnson (D-SD), Begich (D-AK) – and the endorsement of CEC and other national organizations. Read Coalition Letter
Over the last 35 years, CEC has consistently led the effort for full funding for all parts of IDEA. This year, with state and local budgets tighter than ever, CEC applauds these Senators for standing firm in their commitment to full funding for IDEA even as pressures mount to cut federal spending from critical programs. Urge your Senators to support the IDEA Full Funding Act!
Since originally enacted in 1975, IDEA has consistently strengthened schools across the nation and, most importantly, allowed children and youth with disabilities to access the general curriculum—in many cases learning side-by-side with their peers. It has also allowed more children and youth with disabilities to graduate from high school and transition to bright futures. Overall, IDEA has improved outcomes for millions of students.
This bill is a responsible offering to the discussions about funding IDEA. It would gradually increase the funding for IDEA over 10 years, reaching full funding in 2021. It is also entirely paid for by an increase in tobacco taxes, meaning it would not deplete the general fund. For more information about how the bill is responsibly funded, read Fact Sheet.
Congress can help achieve this goal by living up to its promise to fully fund IDEA. When Congress originally passed IDEA, it promised that the federal government would pay 40% of the excess cost of providing special education and related services. Yes, over these many years, Congress has never lived up to this promise. Two years ago, Congress and the Obama Administration recognized the devastating impact of three decades of underfunding IDEA programs and doubled funding for IDEA. This funding – which was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) better known as the economic stimulus package – provided partial and temporary relief to local schools and communities and represented a significant step in the right direction.
But now, schools across the nation are facing a double funding cliff – both the loss of stimulus monies and the decline in state and local revenues caused by one of the worst recessions in our nation’s history. As the ARRA funding runs out, the federal commitment to funding IDEA has fallen to just 16% of the 40% that was promised in 1975. The IDEA Full Funding Act remedies decades of underfunding by establishing a path toward full funding.
In this political climate where the emphasis is on cutting federal funding for education programs, there has never been a more critical time to tell members of Congress that special education funding must be protected and increased.
To let your elected officials know how critical full funding for IDEA is to children and youth with disabilities and those who work on their behalf, visit CEC’s Legislative Action Center and send a letter today to your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act.
Take Action to Support Special Education Funding!
To read more about this legislation check out this Fact Sheet or read the legislation itself.
To read CEC President Friend’s statement about this click here.