Rep. Neguse Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Fully Fund Special Education
Rep. Neguse Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Fully Fund Special Education
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Joe Neguse joined Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in introducing the IDEA Full Funding Act. This legislation would finally ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In 1975, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity. This law was a historic step forward, but since its passage Congress has failed to provide the funding it promised.
Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. However, that pledge has never been met, and current funding is at less than 13 percent. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our obligation to America’s children and schools. It is cosponsored by more than 20 Senators and over 60 House members. Text of the IDEA Full Funding Act can be viewed HERE.
“For years I’ve joined parents, teachers, and education advocates from across Colorado in calling on the Congress to increase IDEA funding, so that the federal government can follow through on its promise to fully fund this essential program and support students with disabilities. Today, we are once again asking our colleagues to join us in the fight to give every student the chance to succeed,” said Congressman Neguse.
“In recent years, thanks to the hard work of the coalition we've built around this bill, we’ve been able to make incremental increases in funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act through the annual appropriations process. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but the government has never lived up to the full promise of IDEA,” said Rep. Huffman. “Every single student – regardless of race, socioeconomic status, disability, you name it – deserves a full, quality education. The chronic underfunding creates an unfair burden on students, teachers, families, and schools. Our bill holds up Congress’ end of the bargain to fully fund special education services on a permanent basis and ensure all students have the chance to succeed.”
“Providing our children equal access to a quality education helps ensure every student has a fair shot at success. But for decades the federal government has fallen short of its funding commitment to IDEA – leaving students with disabilities at a disadvantage year after year. Our bill will put us on a path to honor our promise to students with disabilities and ensure they receive the first-rate education they deserve. It will also better ensure that school systems have sufficient resources to meet the needs of all their students,” said Senator Van Hollen.
The bill is co-led in the House by Representatives Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) and is supported by over 20 U.S. Senators. Read their quotes of support HERE.
“We wholeheartedly support The IDEA Full Funding Act. Seeking full funding for Special Education has long been a legislative priority for our Board of Education and leadership team,” said Boulder Valley School District Superintendent, Dr. Rob Anderson. “When we adequately support our most vulnerable students, it benefits all students.”
"IDEA has brought a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children across the U.S., providing them with a platform to thrive, and ensuring their differences are not a barrier, but a strength. Investing in IDEA is, in truth, investing in our nation's future by empowering every student with the tools they need to succeed,” said Dr. Don Haddad, Superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District.
This legislation is supported a broad and diverse group of over 60 national organizations, including by AASA – The School Superintendent Association, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Council for Exceptional Children, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Education Association.
Background
Congressman Neguse has joined colleagues in pushing for increased IDEA funding since first being elected to Congress. He has also been a consistent advocate for bettering education policies for all of Colorado’s students. In 2022, he unveiled his “Opportunity for All” Education Agenda to support a fair shot for all students pre-k through college and advance upward mobility for Coloradans. The “Opportunity for All” Agenda was developed from countless conversations with students, teachers, parents, child care workers, schools board members and universities across the 2nd Congressional District to address the challenges faced by Coloradans and ensure every student is offered equal opportunity to succeed. As a father, Congressman Neguse has seen firsthand the impacts of high-quality early childhood in his own daughter’s life and as a former CU Regent, the Congressman brings years of experience working to make college more affordable and accessible to his work in Congress and to the development of this agenda.
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