NASP believes that all children and youth have the right to a quality public education that nurtures their potential and dignity. For 50 years, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has guaranteed a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Approximately 13% of all public school children benefit from the federal civil rights protections, services, and funding provided by IDEA. We are proud to join students, families, educators, and disabled people across the country in celebrating this important anniversary.

When IDEA was first enacted in 1975, Congress promised to provide states with 40% of the excess cost needed to educate students with disabilities. Congress has never lived up to its promise. Write to Congress to support the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA investments to finally meet funding levels that are required by law to support America’s children and schools. We can’t wait another 50 years to provide this needed support to students with disabilities and schools.

The U.S. Department of Education was created to ensure equal access to education for all children and youth, and it is responsible for implementing IDEA and its integration in all other K-12 education programs. Amidst ongoing efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and its core functions, it is more important than ever that Congress hears from you about the importance of enforcing IDEA and ensuring the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services remains at the Department of Education.