Did you know the promise by Congress in 1975 to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has never been met? Due to this, state and local governments have shouldered the additional costs of special education services. It's time to have Congress fulfill their pledge to support students with disabilities.

The IDEA Full Funding Act of 2021 (S.3213 and H.R.5984) was reintroduced on November 16th in the Senate by Senators Van Hollen (D-MD), Tester (D-MT), Hassan (D-NH), Casey (D-PA), Smith (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Reed (D-RI), Blumenthal (D-CT), Kaine (D-VA), Durbin (D-VA), Cardin (D-MD), Brown (D-OH), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Booker (D-NJ), Luján (D-NM), Warren (D-MA), Markey (D-MA), Baldwin (D-WI), Wyden (D-OR), Gillibrand (D-NY), Shaheen (D-NH), Stabenow (D-MI), Padilla (D-CA), Menendez (D-NJ), and Klobuchar (D-MN), and in the House of Representatives by Reps. Huffman (D-CA-2), Thompson (R-PA-15), Schrader (D-OR-5), Katko (R-NY-24), Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Neguse (D-CO-2), Phillips (D-MN-3), and McKinley (R-WV-1). 

This bill would require yearly increases to funding for IDEA programs so that the federal government reaches an annual appropriation of 40% of the cost of special education services in 10 years.  

TAKE ACTION

Use the form to tell your Members of Congress to support the IDEA Full Funding Act and ensure that schools have sufficient funding for special education!