Joco Today

Federal Government has never fulfilled promised special education funding levels

On April 26, 2023, Representative Sharice Davids announced recent actions she’s taken to garner additional support for children with disabilities in Kansas. She urged House Appropriations Committee leaders to make good on the federal government’s promise to help fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program, which ensures all special education students receive a high-quality public education. Nationally, over 7 million children receive special education services through the IDEA program.

“As a proud graduate of Kansas public schools, I know firsthand the power that a high-quality education has on a student’s future success. Those opportunities should be available to all youth, no matter what challenges they may be facing,” said Davids. “It’s time the federal government holds up its end of the bargain and provides adequate support for special education students in Kansas.”

IDEA provides individual-specific programs, resources, and services for students with a wide range of disabilities, including hearing impairment, autism, language impairment, and learning disabilities. The comprehensive assessment and support services authorized by IDEA help to close the academic achievement gap and prepare students for further education, employment, and independent living.

In 1975, Congress pledged to states and school districts that the federal government would pay 40 percent of the costs to educate every child receiving special education and related services. Since then, this funding level for the IDEA program has never reached above 19 percent of the Average Per Pupil Expenditure (APPE). This continued shortfall puts students utilizing special education programs at a disadvantage and exacerbates the long-running challenges facing states and local school districts, which are faced with limited resources and growing student populations.

"Congress’ underfunding of IDEA has hurt Kansas students, leaving our schools with fewer resources to keep qualified teachers and paraprofessionals in the classroom, improve early intervention services, and invest in career development opportunities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. "I appreciate Representative Davids’ leadership on behalf of special education students at the federal level while my administration continues to push for full funding for special education at the state level.”

As a first-generation college student who worked her way from Leavenworth High School to Cornell Law School, Davids understands how valuable a quality education is for the success of a student. She previously announced funding for Kansas Head Start programs, which incorporate collaborative classrooms where an Early Childhood Special Education teacher is available. Davids also voted for the American Rescue Plan, which allocated about $29 million to Kansas’ IDEA program to support early intervention and special education services.

Original source can be found here.