IDEA and Special Education

In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), reaffirmed the nation’s belief that all children deserve a free and appropriate public education.

NASSP continues to advocate for robust policy and fiscal support in the education of students with disabilities and other special needs. In 2009, NASSP convened a task force to study the effects of the IDEA law and related regulatory language on school leaders. The IDEA task force later released recommendations regarding a series of changes that it believes should be incorporated into a newly reauthorized IDEA law.

NASSP also supports the full funding of the IDEA. Full-funding refers to the federal government’s commitment to pay 40% of the average per-pupil expenditure costs of educating special education students.

Legislative or Policy Priorities

• IDEA Full Funding Act (S. 130/ H.R. 551)
• NASSP IDEA Legislative Recommendations

NASSP Resources

• IDEA Full Funding Coalition
  • Letter to members of the Senate and House Appropriations committees to increase IDEA funding for FY 2017
  • Letter to Congress to increase IDEA funding in FY 2017 and FY 2018
  • Letter to Congress in support of the IDEA Full Funding Act
• National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services
• RTI Action Network
• UDL Task Force
• Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
• FY18 Full Funding Letter 
• Save Medicaid in Schools Coalition
• Letter on Graham-Cassidy Bill 
• Letter on Extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program