NEA speaks up for the rights of students. Browse recent messages to Congressional leadership, and add your voice.
Published: January 21, 2026
Public schools across the nation provide special education services to more than 7.5 million students with disabilities—about 15 percent of all public school students.
November 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The law reflects the federal government’s commitment to provide a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities and pay 40% of the average per pupil cost for special education. That commitment remains unfulfilled. Meanwhile, the Trump administration wants to take oversight of IDEA away from the Department of Education, limiting access to the services and experts that support students’ growth and enrichment.
We must ensure that America fulfills its promise to students with disabilities: that they can participate fully in learning opportunities that enable them to reach their potential.
-
VOTE NO on education cuts in House budget bill
Submitted on September 8, 2025
-
VOTE NO on H.R. 1
Submitted on July 2, 2025
Bills in Congress
Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
-
Support
S 1277 IDEA Full Funding Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on April 3, 2025
This bill would ensure that no matter the zip code, students with disabilities have equal access to a well-rounded, high-quality public education, by committing Congress to finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
-
Support
HR 2598 IDEA Full Funding Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on April 2, 2025
This bill would ensure that no matter the zip code, students with disabilities have equal access to a well-rounded, high-quality public education, by committing Congress to finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
-
Support
S 745 Empowering Families in Special Education Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on February 26, 2025
This bill would amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to require notification with respect to individualized education program teams, and for other purposes.
Key Facts About Funding IDEA
Public School Students
14%
Public schools across the country today provide special education services to more than 7 million youngsters or 14 percent of public school students.
Federal Government's Commitment
40%
The federal law has always included a commitment to pay 40 percent of the average per student cost for every special education student. In the 2019 fiscal year, the federal government provided less than half of the full funding level for states.
Federal share of the average per student cost
13%
The federal share of the average per student cost was 13 percent in the 2020 fiscal year, the smallest share since the 2000 fiscal year.
Funding Gap
$23.6 billion
In the school year 2020-21, the federal appropriation was $23.6 billion less than full funding, which states and districts had to cover.
Filling the Gap
A burden on local communities
This shortfall creates a burden on local communities and denies full opportunity to all students—with and without disabilities.
A History of Progress
1973
1973
President Nixon signs the Rehabilitation Act, which replaces the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, to emphasize services to expand federal responsibilities and training programs for individuals with disabilities.
1975
1975
President Ford signs the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The law guarantees access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. The law promises that the federal government will cover 40 percent of the extra cost of special education.
1990
1990
The Individuals with Disabilities Act replaces the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The law includes a requirement that public schools create an Individualized Education Program that specifies the services to be provided and how often, as well as accommodations and modifications to be made. Pres. George H.W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Downloads
Are you an affiliate?
Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Fully Fund IDEA
Tell your Senators to support the Keep Our Pact Act (S. 72/H.R. 764), which would create a mandatory 10-year path to fully funding both Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
