{"id":2903,"date":"2025-04-04T18:08:17","modified":"2025-04-04T18:09:03","slug":"fetterman-van-hollen-huffman-push-bill-to-end-decades-of-underfunding-in-special-education","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/fetterman-van-hollen-huffman-push-bill-to-end-decades-of-underfunding-in-special-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Fetterman, Van Hollen, Huffman Push Bill to End Decades of Underfunding in Special Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

Legislation would guarantee full federal funding for IDEA, fulfilling a 50-year-old promise to America’s students and families<\/em><\/h3>\n\n

Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 This week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) to reintroduce the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>, legislation to ensure Congress finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).<\/em>\u00a050 years ago, Congress passed\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunities. This law was a historic step forward, but since its passage, Congress has failed to provide the funding it promised. The legislation is cosponsored by more than 30 members in the Senate and more than 60 members in the House of Representatives and is endorsed by 60 organizations.<\/p>\n\n

Under\u00a0IDEA<\/em>, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education; however, that pledge has never been met. According to the Congressional Research Service, current funding is at less than 12 percent, and the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0shortfall in the 2024-2025 school year nationwide was $38.66 billion. Under full funding, Pennsylvania alone would have received\u00a0more than $1.4 billion<\/a>. The\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>\u00a0would require regular, mandatory increases in\u00a0IDEA<\/em>spending to finally meet our obligation to America\u2019s children and schools.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe promised families we\u2019d have their backs, and for decades, we\u2019ve fallen short on that promise. Because\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0hasn\u2019t been fully funded, parents and teachers have been working overtime to make up for the missing resources their students desperately need,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Fetterman.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cMaking\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0whole is how we guarantee students with disabilities get the support they need to thrive in school. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in championing this legislation amid continued threats to public school students and educators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cFifty years ago, Congress passed the\u00a0IDEA Act<\/em>, and with it, made a promise to children with disabilities and their families \u2013 but we have fallen short of that promise every year since. While Donald Trump and Elon Musk are illegally gutting public education in America, we are fighting to strengthen it. Our bill will ensure that Congress finally meets its commitment to fully fund\u00a0IDEA<\/em>, putting us closer to delivering equal access to high-quality education for every student in this country,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Van Hollen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhile we\u2019ve made substantial progress to fund special education services in recent years, we still have important work left to do to live up to the original commitment Congress made,\u201d\u00a0said Rep. Jared Huffman<\/strong>. \u201cAll children \u2013 no matter their zip code, race, disability, or any other factor \u2013 should be able to access a full, exceptional education, and this legislation will help school districts provide the necessary resources to make this vision a reality. The current chronic underfunding leaves an unfair burden on students, teachers, schools, and families. Our bill holds up the federal government\u2019s end of the bargain to fully fund special education services on a permanent basis and set all students up for long-term success.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

The legislation is also cosponsored in the Senate by Senators<\/strong>: Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\u00a0The legislation is co-led in the House by:\u00a0<\/strong>G.T. Thompson (R-PA-15), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), and Mike Bost (R-IL-12) and cosponsored by over 60 additional members of the House.<\/p>\n\n

This legislation is supported by a broad and diverse group of over 50 national organizations, including<\/strong>: The School Superintendent Association (AASA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Occupational Therapy Association, Assistive Technology Industry Association, Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Autism Society of America, Center for Learner Equity, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Education Association, and The Arc of the United States.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAASA is proud to support the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>\u00a0being introduced today. We strongly support this legislation as a key priority in strengthening our nation\u2019s schools and supporting them in their work to ensure all students\u2014regardless of ability\u2014have an opportunity to access a high quality education. The\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)<\/em>\u00a0represents a critical commitment to help level the playing field for historically disadvantaged populations, students with disabilities. When Congress passed\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a050 years ago this year and opened the doors of educational opportunity to all students, regardless of ability, it recognized it would come at a cost and committed to providing 40% of the additional cost associated with educating these students. Congress has constantly failed to reach this commitment, and is in fact below 10%\u2014less than one-quarter of its commitment\u2014in the current fiscal year. We are proud to endorse the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>, being introduced in both the House and Senate this week, for its work to hold Congress accountable and create a clear path and plan of action. We thank Senator VanHollen and Representatives Thompson and Huffman for their leadership on this important issue,\u201d\u00a0said Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director, AASA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cAs the president and his allies work to dismantle the Department of Education and undermine opportunity, we must redouble our efforts to keep the promise America made to students with disabilities 50 years ago when the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act<\/em>\u00a0was first signed. Students with disabilities must have access to safe and welcoming schools with individual supports tailored to meet their needs so they can acquire crucial skills to realize their full potential. Regrettably, the federal government has consistently fallen short of the funding goals set by Congress, and now this administration is further backtracking. The\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act\u00a0<\/em>would finally fulfill the pledge made to millions of kids and their families, and I urge its rapid passage,\u201d\u00a0said AFT President Randi Weingarten.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe are proud to once again endorse the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0said Marc Egan, Director of Government Relations at the National Education Association (NEA).<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act\u00a0<\/em>ensures that no matter the zip code, students with disabilities have equal access to a well-rounded, high-quality public education. We must do right by our children and Congress should fulfill its pledge towards their education, which also strengthens our nation. We commend Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Huffman for their leadership in addressing the chronic underfunding of\u00a0IDEA<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe American Occupational Therapy Association strongly supports the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act\u00a0<\/em>to ensure children with disabilities receive the services they need to thrive. Fully funding\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0will provide schools with vital resources to deliver high-quality interventions, support educators, and foster inclusive learning,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Katie Jordan,\u00a0CEO,\u00a0American Occupational Therapy Association.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cFull funding for\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0would ensure that students with disabilities are provided the accessible assistive technology and other supports that pave the road from education\u00a0 to employment. ATIA thanks the bill sponsors for understanding this great need and for championing the bill,\u201d\u00a0said David Dikter, Executive Director, Assistive Technology Industry Association.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

“School districts everywhere are facing significant financial strain as they strive to educate and serve all students, including those with disabilities. Fully funding\u00a0IDEA<\/em>would help schools keep up with rising costs to effectively assess and respond to increasing needs, attract and retain specialized instructional support personnel, and provide assistive equipment and technology to help students learn and succeed,”\u00a0said James Rowan, CEO\/Executive Director, Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt is more critical than ever that Congress fulfill its commitment to cover the 40% of additional costs required to educate students with disabilities, including those with Autism. The current rate of 11% leaves many states struggling to provide all necessary services to students. This investment is vital to ensure that every student has access to an equitable and attainable education,\u201d\u00a0said Christopher Banks, President and CEO, Autism Society of America.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe appreciate the champions who continue to promote educational access and opportunity for students with disabilities by introducing a bill to fully fund our nation’s special education law. American students are experiencing a learning crisis, and it’s past time for Congress to fulfill their 50-year-old promise and fully fund their share of the cost to educate students with disabilities,\u201d\u00a0said Jennifer Coco, Interim Executive Director, Center for Learner Equity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cAs the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)<\/em>\u00a0turns 50 years old this year, now is the perfect time for Congress to make good on its pledge to fully fundIDEA<\/em>,”\u00a0said Chad Rummel, Executive Director, Council for Exceptional Children.<\/strong>\u00a0“We thank Sen. Van Hollen, Reps. Huffman and Thompson, and all the bill cosponsors for introducing this bill to provide the resources needed to support the infants, toddlers, children and youth served under\u00a0IDEA<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Denise Marshall, CEO, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates said,<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWe appreciate our champions who understand how essential full funding of\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0is to promoting collaboration between schools and families so that students can receive specially designed instruction, therapies, services, and other supports as determined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). We urge Congress to act now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cOne thing every member of Congress should agree on is that our country benefits when students with developmental disabilities get the help they need to learn,\u201d\u00a0said Jill Jacobs, Executive Director, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAs our country debates the best path for educating our students, families, educators and advocates believe now is the time for this Congress to make good on the promises made to provide students with disabilities the services and support they need to succeed by fully funding\u00a0IDEA<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201c2025 marks 50 years since the passage of the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act<\/em>, a monumental law that ensures students with disabilities have access to a high-quality education,\u201d\u00a0said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s time for Congress to honor the promise made a half-century ago to fully fund\u00a0IDEA<\/em>. Our nation\u2019s public schools need resources to fulfill their mission, thus the federal government must fulfill their promise. We\u2019re grateful for Senator Van Hollen, Rep. Huffman, and Rep. GT Thompson for their leadership in addressing the chronic underfunding of\u00a0IDEA<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt is especially important at this time that\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0be fully funded. We appreciate the bill’s House and Senate sponsors for their commitment to educating students with disabilities and introducing this legislation,\u201d\u00a0said Stephanie Smith Lee, Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Down Syndrome Congress.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cFor 50 years, the federal government has promised to fully fund\u00a0IDEA<\/em>, yet that promise has never been kept. Right now, federal funding covers less than 13% of the cost of educating students with disabilities\u2014far below the 40% commitment Congress made. This chronic underfunding doesn\u2019t just affect classrooms today; it limits opportunities for students\u2019 futures. A fully funded\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0means access to qualified teachers, individualized support, and inclusive education that prepares students for higher education, employment, and independent living. Every student deserves the chance to build a fulfilling life after school. This bill is a long-overdue step toward making that a reality,\u201d\u00a0said Robyn Linscott, Director of Education and Family Policy, The Arc of the United States.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cOur government works best when it serves its people \u2013 especially our most vulnerable communities. 50 years ago, Congress passed the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)\u00a0<\/em>to support our children with disabilities and ensure they had access to an appropriate education \u2013 we built up our children, gave them protections and supports. Yet for years,\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0has been underfunded, creating burdens for districts and threatening access to services for students and families. This President and his callous Administration is intent on tearing things down instead of building them up. Now, more than ever, we need to fully fund\u00a0IDEA<\/em>,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Alsobrooks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cOur legislation makes necessary investments in programs that students with disabilities across the country depend on to access high-quality education that meets their individual needs. President Trump\u2019s destruction of the Department of Education has made it all the more clear: we must fully and permanently fund special education services so that every student\u2014no matter where they live\u2014has the opportunity to succeed,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Blumenthal.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cDecades after the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act became law, the federal government has still not fully funded the law to help ensure children with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the classroom,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Duckworth.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cOur legislation would help make long overdue investments in special education that would help support children with disabilities, their families and the educators who serve them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cOur nation\u2019s children are our future, and we must ensure that every child has access to high-quality education that meets their individual needs. It is critical that we honor our commitment to properly fund the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act<\/em>,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Durbin.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThat is why I am joining my colleagues in introducing the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>\u00a0to ensure students with disabilities are receiving access to high-quality services and education, which they are entitled to under law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cI am proud to cosponsor the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>, which will ensure that our government upholds its responsibility to give every child with disabilities access to educational opportunities,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Gillibrand.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAll students deserve a high-quality education and school systems with the resources to support them. This bill will help Congress fulfill its promise to fund special education programs, making sure that we meet our obligation to give every child the best chance at success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAs Donald Trump continues working to illegally dismantle the Department of Education, securing funding for crucial resources like\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0is more important than ever,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Hirono.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation so Congress can finally fulfill its commitment to fully fund the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0for the first time since its passage in 1975. This investment in\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0will help ensure that every student with disabilities in this country can receive the quality education they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cStudents with disabilities, like any student, deserve access to a high-quality public education,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Kaine.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)<\/em>\u00a0is a crucial component of making that IDEAl a reality, but the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0is underfunded, leaving Congress\u2019 promise of equal opportunity to students with disabilities unfulfilled\u2014and as a former Mayor and Governor, I\u2019m acutely aware of how federal underfunding of the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0puts tremendous pressure on local and state budgets. It\u2019s imperative that we fully fund the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0to help schools offer the education, services, and supports that help students thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAs Trump and Musk continue their assault on public education, Congress must act to ensure every student has equal access to learning across our country,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Kim.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cEducators and parents across my state of New Jersey are terrified about what comes next for essential programs like\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0while Trump dismantles the Department of Education. This legislation is critical to help secure schools the resources they need to support students with disabilities\u2019 education and futures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cA half a century ago, Congress enshrined into law the right of students with disabilities to access free and quality public education. Yet, every year, Congress fails to appropriate the funding necessary to fulfill that promise and guarantee that all students are not only integrated into our education system, but thrive in it. And now, President Trump and Secretary McMahon are attacking federal education funding and our entire public school system,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Markey<\/strong>. \u201cCongress must fully fund the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0so that disabled students can thrive, families can be assured their children will receive world class education, educators have the resources they need to provide that education, and communities aren\u2019t left scrambling to fill federal funding gaps.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAcross Nevada, I have heard from the parents of children with disabilities, and all they want is for their children to have the same opportunities as any other child,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Cortez Masto.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe government has already committed to fund the\u00a0IDEA<\/em>\u00a0program, yet it has consistently failed to do so. This legislation fulfills the government\u2019s promise and provides essential funding for schools across the Silver State.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAll students, regardless of ability, deserve access to a quality education. Yet, President Trump\u2019s cruel dismantling of the Department of Education is putting millions of students with disabilities at risk of losing essential IDEA funding. The\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>\u00a0upholds our commitment to offer every student a chance at the American dream by working to close longstanding opportunity gaps in our education system. This investment serves our students, supports our educators, and strengthens our economic future,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Padilla.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cEvery student in Nevada deserves equal access to high quality public education, but the Trump Administration\u2019s dismantling of the Department of Education is taking away resources and protections for children with disabilities,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Rosen.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cI\u2019m helping to introduce this bill to make sure Congress fully funds the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act<\/em>\u00a0and provides equal opportunity for every child to have a shot at accessing quality education. I\u2019ll keep fighting back against all attempts to cut funding from our children\u2019s education.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cEvery child across America deserves access to quality education and a chance to succeed,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Shaheen.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cFor too long, Congress has fallen short of its promise to students with disabilities by failing to provide adequate funding through the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act<\/em>. Our legislation will right that wrong and help ensure schools have adequate resources to give students in New Hampshire and across the nation the education they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cA good education has the power to transform lives, and Congress needs to fully fund the educational resources that support children with disabilities and their families. Every child deserves a quality education and the chance to meet their full potential in life. At a time when support for special education is threatened, I join my colleagues in insisting that Congress deliver on its promise to fund these vital services so that every student has access to a quality education,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Schiff.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time for Congress to finally fulfill our promise to deliver quality public education to every student across the country. As Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their senseless attacks on public education, it\u2019s more important than ever to stand up for all students no matter their disability or zip code,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Warner.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cAs a former special education teacher, I\u2019ve seen first-hand how this funding is transformational for students with disabilities. It means our schools have elevators to help with mobility, provides aides that help students communicate, and tailored programs to best meet their learning needs,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Warren<\/strong>. \u201cWith public education under attack, I am deeply grateful for Senator Van Hollen\u2019s leadership in the fight to fully fund the\u00a0Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

The bill is also supported by:<\/strong>\u00a0American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE),\u00a0American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME),\u00a0American Psychological Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Autism Speaks, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, CAST, Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education, Coalition for Community Schools, Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA), Council for Learning Disabilities, Council of Administrators of Special Education, EDGE Consulting Partners,\u00a0EdTrust,\u00a0Education Reform Now, First Focus Campaign for Children,\u00a0Higher Education Consortium for Special Education,\u00a0Institute for Educational Leadership, Learning Disabilities Association of America, NAESPA (National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators), National Association for Music Education, National Association for Pupil Transportation, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), National Association of Private Special Education Centers, National Association of School Psychologists, National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Down Syndrome Society, National PTA, National Rural Education Association, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children,\u00a0Teach For America, The Advocacy Institute,\u00a0and The New Teacher Project (TNTP).<\/p>\n\n

The full text of the\u00a0IDEA Full Funding Act<\/em>\u00a0can be viewed\u00a0<\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false}}