Van Hollen, Tester Introduce Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This 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 legislation was a historic step forward,butsince its passage Congress has failed to provide the funding promised under this bill.

"All schools should have the resources they need to provide a quality education to students with disabilities - it's past time that Congress made good on its commitment to educators, students, and parents. That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation in the Senate to ensure a first-class education for every child. I urge my colleagues to pass this important legislation immediately,"saidSenator Van Hollen, who also championed this legislation in the House of Representatives.

"Every student has a unique set of needs, experiences, and capabilities that should never prevent them from getting a quality public education," said Tester, a former public school teacher and school board member. "Unfunded federal mandates handcuff our local school districts, draining their already meager resources and eroding local control. This bill will empower local educators and ensure every Montana student has access to a quality education."

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 just15.7percent. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our commitment to America's children and schools. In addition to Senators Van Hollen and Tester, this legislation was cosponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).

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