Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono is at the forefront of a group of more than 80 lawmakers across the country now pushing legislation calling on Congress to honor its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
"For almost 50 years, the federal government has failed to meet the promise of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, leaving many without access to the quality education they deserve," Senator Hirono said.
"This legislation will require funding be provided for critical special education services and eliminate barriers faced by students with disabilities in Hawaii and across the country.”
According to a news release, congress passed the IDEA with a pledge that every child with a disability would have access to educational opportunities in what was largely viewed as a historic step forward, but since its passage lawmakers have failed to allocate the level of funding that was ensured.
After committing to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure, lawmakers have actually provided less than 13 percent with the Congressional Research Service reporting that the 2021-2022 shortfall was nearly $23.92 billion as reported.
There is support for the IDEA Act nationwide ranging from lawmakers to national organizations.
The list of lawmakers cosponsoring the legislation includes Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The legislation is also supported by over 60 national organizations, including AASA – The School Superintendent Association, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), and National Education Association (NEA).