When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, it established a goal of providing federal funds to cover 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for educating students with disabilities in public elementary schools and secondary schools. But year after year the federal government falls short of meeting this level of support. Most recently, the federal government’s contribution has remained flat at approximately 13%. 

Congress must do more to fully fund special education and ensure children with disabilities receive the free appropriate public education they are entitled to under law. 

The IDEA Full Funding Act would make funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandatory and put it on a 10-year glide path to cover 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for students with disabilities.  

Download the Issue Brief [PDF] to learn more. 

Please complete the form to email your senators and representatives and ask them to cosponsor the IDEA Full Funding Act. 

Questions? Please contact Kevin Stutman, ASHA’s associate director of federal affairs, at kstutman@asha.org 

Thank you for being an ASHA Advocate!