The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures students throughout the country are provided with free appropriate public education. Recent data suggests that 15%, or 7.5 million, children ages 3 to 21 are receiving services under IDEA. 

During the 2012-13 year, 6.4 million students (about twice the population of Nevada) received services under IDEA. While this figure seems high, the fact is that the number of students requiring an Individualized Education (IEP) based on a qualifying diagnosis has only increased. This demand for services under IDEA has grown significantly due to factors such as earlier and more accurate diagnoses of autism, speech and language impairments, and intellectual disabilities, a decreased stigma associated with receiving special education, and the known benefits of special education on students who require such services to reach their full potential. Providing support for students with special needs and helping them maximize learning opportunities and foster essential skills for lifelong success is so important.  

It’s important to note that special education enrollment varies, sometimes significantly, from state to state. For example, students with IEPs in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maine account for 21% of the population. This figure represents states seeing high enrollment. On the other hand, only 12% of students in Idaho and Hawaii receive IDEA services.  

We are at a time in history when special education is a critical component of our education system, yet we are facing potential budget cuts that could put these services in jeopardy. For example, the House Republicans’ Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bills has been the center of significant discussion and debate recently. The bill recommends $72 billion in discretionary spending for the Education Department, which is $10 billion below President Biden’s budget request.  

We are amid a challenging time where budget cuts could mean fewer educators to meet the growing need for special education and reduced availability of services in areas where the need is most evident. The most effective way to ensure that funding remains available to support special education well into the future is to urge political figures to advocate for the passage of legislation that benefits students, their families, and the community.  

Contact your legislator and ask him/her to support funding for special education! One vote can make all the difference!