NEA's Position on IDEA: Funding

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reaches every public school. Approximately 12 percent of public school students receive assistance through special education. These children require special attention and additional resources.

When IDEA was passed in 1975, the law included a commitment to pay 40 percent of the average per-student cost for every special education student. That commitment has never been met. Congress is currently funding IDEA at less than 18 percent.  See the impact on your state of proposals to reduce the federal share.

School districts are being forced to redirect more and more dollars from their general education budget to cover the federal shortfall, which hurts all students — those in general education and those in special education.  Since 1975, the unfunded federal portion has cost local schools and taxpayers more than $300 billion.

 NEA supports this proposal.

Urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to help achieve mandatory full funding of the federal share of IDEA costs.

I'm ready to take action:

I need more info:

• Issue Overview: IDEA
• NEA on the Issues: Special Education