From 1975 to Today: Why Full Funding of IDEA Is Long Overdue.

On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law. At the time, only about 20% of children with disabilities were in public school. The rest were institutionalized or kept at home with no access to education.

IDEA changed that. It guaranteed disabled children the right to a free and appropriate public education. For millions of families, it was life-changing.

Now, as we approach the 50th anniversary of this monumental law, it’s worth asking: what have we accomplished, and how much further do we need to go?

IDEA: A Landmark Law With Broken Promises
While IDEA opened the school doors for children with disabilities, it hasn’t delivered on its full promise. Outcomes for disabled students remain shockingly poor:

• People with disabilities face unemployment rates as high as 75%.
• Although they make up about 2% of the general population, people with intellectual disabilities account for up to 10% of the prison population.
• Studies show that 55–75% of incarcerated adults are functionally illiterate, and 85% of youth in the juvenile justice system can’t read at grade level.

That’s not progress. It’s proof that access without support doesn’t work. IDEA gave our kids a seat in the classroom, but it hasn’t guaranteed real outcomes.

The Funding Gap
One of the biggest reasons IDEA hasn’t lived up to its potential is money. When the law passed in 1975, Congress promised to cover 40% of the additional cost of special education. In reality, the federal government has never paid more than about 13%.

That shortfall forces states and districts to make impossible choices: do they hire more special ed staff, fund reading interventions, or provide mental health support? Too often, kids end up going without.

The IDEA Full Funding Act
That’s why Congress needs to pass the IDEA Full Funding Act. The bill, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA), would gradually increase federal funding to meet the original 40% commitment.

It has bipartisan support. It has the backing of more than 50 national organizations, including the National Education Association and the Autism Society of America. And it would finally give schools the resources to do what they’ve been legally required to do for almost half a century.

How Parents Can Take Action
We can’t let another anniversary pass without demanding change. Here’s how you can help push for full funding:

1. Contact your federal legislators. You have two Senators and one House Representative. You can find them at congress.gov/members.
   • House bill: H.R. 2598
   • Senate bill: S. 2217
2. Send an email or call. Keep it short, but make it personal. Reference the bill numbers and tell your story as a parent of a child with a disability.
3. Use this sample email: Dear [Senator/Representative],As we approach the 50th anniversary of IDEA, I am writing as a constituent and parent of a child with a disability. While IDEA guaranteed children the right to a public education, outcomes remain poor. Unemployment and incarceration rates for people with disabilities are unacceptably high. Congress promised in 1975 to fund 40% of the additional cost of special education. Nearly 50 years later, the federal government is paying less than 13%. Our schools and students are paying the price. Please support the IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R. 2598 / S. 2217). Disabled children deserve more than access, they deserve outcomes. Sincerely,
   [Your Name]
4. Call their office. A quick phone call repeating the same message goes a long way.

IDEA opened the doors of education to millions of children who had been shut out. But access alone isn’t enough. After 50 years, outcomes haven’t changed. Kids with disabilities still face low employment, high incarceration, and limited opportunities.

The difference between rights on paper and rights in practice is funding. Congress promised 40%. It’s time to deliver.