WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This bipartisan legislation would finally ensure Congress' 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 promised under this bill. Text of the IDEA Full Funding Act can be found here.

“The IDEA Full Funding Act is commonsense legislation that will make good on Congress’ promise to ensure students with disabilities receive the best education possible,” said Senator Roberts. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill and look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this over the finish line.”

"Every child deserves a quality education – and the Congress must keep its promises to fund its share. The federal government must stop shortchanging our students and make good on its commitment to fully fund IDEA. That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation to support our schools and ensure a first-rate education for children with disabilities. I urge my colleagues to pass this common-sense, bipartisan bill immediately," said Senator Van Hollen.

Under the 1975 IDEA legislation, 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 just 14.7 percent. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our commitment to America's children and schools.

“Because the federal government has failed to honor its IDEA funding promise, K-12 schools and school districts throughout America have been forced to pay more than their fair share,” said Representative Huffman. “That means less funding for everything from teacher pay to class size to affording music, art, and physical education classes. That’s why the bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act to finally honor the IDEA promise is probably the most significant thing the federal government can do to support K-12 schools.” In addition to Representative Huffman, this legislation is cosponsored in the House by Representatives John Katko (R-N.Y.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.).

This legislation is supported by:

• AASA, The School Superintendents Association
• American Dance Therapy Association
• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
• American Federation of Teachers
• American Music Therapy Association
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Speech Language Hearing Association
• Association of Educational Service Agencies
• Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
• Association of School Business Officials International
• Council for Exceptional Children
• Council of Administrators of Special Education
• Council of the Great City Schools
• Disabled World
• Forum for Youth Investment
• IDEA Full Funding Coalition
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Association of Councils of Developmental Disabilities
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Association of School Psychologists
• National Association of Secondary School Principals
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools
• National Down Syndrome Congress
• National Education Association
• National PTA
• National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium
• National Rural Education Association
• National School Boards Association
• School Social Work Association of America
• Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
• The ARC of the United States