WASHINGTON – Second District Congressman John Kline introduced an amendment today that would fully fund special education through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), freeing up desperately needed funding for schools nationwide.

“For far too long, our nation’s schools have been waiting patiently for Congress to fulfill its promise to fully fund special education,” said Kline, who serves on the Education and Labor Committee. “By fully funding special education, we would free up desperately needed funds schools across America could use to address their specific needs – whether it is state of the art classrooms, additional teachers, or new textbooks.”

IDEA, which was signed into law more than 30 years ago, ensures all children, regardless of any physical or learning disability, have access to a quality public education. Unfortunately, for more than 30 years, Congress has fallen far short of meeting its share of the funding responsibility.  

The amendment introduced today by Kline would ensure the federal share of special education reaches the full 40 percent funding level. In 2004, Congress passed IDEA, which established a clear and genuine pattern to reach the 40 percent goal by 2011, but funding has remained well below those necessary levels.

“I have heard countless stories of schools in my district and across the nation being forced to choose between cutting bus routes, eliminating extracurricular activities, or increasing class sizes to cope with shrinking budgets,” Congressman Kline said. “Our teachers and administrators should instead be able to focus on the important job of providing the best education possible for all of our children.”