IDEA Full Funding Act

Key Points

• The federal government promised in 1975 to pay 40 percent of the extra cost of educating students with disabilities, but it has never come close to that level, leaving local districts to fill the gap.
• The bill phases in full federal funding over ten years, starting with a partial boost in fiscal year 2026 and increasing every year after that.
• By fiscal year 2035, federal funding for special education would hit close to $70 billion a year, finally meeting the government's original 40 percent commitment.
• The funding amount each year is tied to the number of children with disabilities served nationwide and the average cost of educating a public school student.
• With more federal money covering special education costs, local school districts could have more flexibility in their budgets, potentially easing pressure to raise property taxes for required services.