Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1541528
Take Action! Visit NEA's action page at bit.ly/IDEA_FullFunding to find out exactly how much IDEA funding is missing from our state or your school district. Then use the message template — replicated below, and which you can per- sonalize — to urge your senators and representatives to support the IDEA Full Funding Act (S. 1277/H.R. 2598). The bill proposes regular, mandatory increases in IDEA funding to address chronic underfunding that has left many schools struggling to provide adequate special education resources. It aims to fulfill the federal govern- ment's promise to cover 40% of special education costs. When fully funded, IDEA will significantly enhance the resources available for special education, allowing schools to better support students with disabilities. This includes hiring qualified staff, providing necessary ser- vices, and ensuring that all students have access to quality education regardless of their disabilities. education funding and ensures that states use these funds appropriately. By firing n early e ver y employee w ho supports special education, the administration is turning its back on the more than 7 million children with disabilities. (On October 15, a federal judge temporarily halted the cuts.) What can we do? We must urge our legislators to support the IDEA Full Fund- ing Act (S. 1277/H.R. 2598), co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jared Huf fman , who rep- resents California's District 2 (see box). e bill will ensure that Congress funds IDEA at the full 40%. "All children — no matter their zip code, race, disability or any other factor — should be able to access a full, excep- tional education , and this legislation will help school districts provide the necessary resources to make this vision a reality," said Huffman earlier this year. "Our bill holds up the federal govern- ment's end of the bargain to fully fund special education services on a perma- nent basis and set all students up for long-term success." Watch CTA Vice President Leslie Littman's short video on IDEA's 50th anniversary and the need for full funding at bit.ly/CTA_IDEA50. Support the IDEA Full Funding Act [elected official] Dear [elected official], As your constituent, I urge you to support the IDEA Full Funding Act (S. 1277/H.R. 2598) so that all students have an education that fits their unique needs and sets them up for success. When the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted, Congress made a commitment to fund 40% of the average per-pupil cost for special education. A half-century later, students who depend on IDEA are still waiting for that promise to be kept. The federal share of IDEA funding is currently at 13%. This means school districts across America must often make difficult choices and cut other services and offerings to fill the gap in funding for special education. That's not fair to any of our students. The IDEA Full Funding Act puts us on a path to honor our nation's promises to students with disabilities, making sure they receive the education they deserve. The legislation has the support of a wide range of organizations, including the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Please support the IDEA Full Funding Act so that all stu- dents receive an education that inspires their curiosity and desire to learn and prepares them for the future. Sincerely, [your information here] 39 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5