June 25, 2001

Bard, Colleagues Asking Congress to Fund IDEA

 

HARRISBURG— Rep. Ellen M. Bard (R-153) applauded House passage recently of a resolution she co-sponsored requesting the U. S. Congress to fully fund its obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

"The reality is that Congress, over the 24-year history of the act, has never kept its promise to fully fund IDEA," Bard said.  "This means local taxpayers are paying far more in local school taxes. With costs for one special education child totaling as much as $225,000 per year, it’s time for local school districts to start seriously encouraging Congress to pay its share."

IDEA is a federal program that guarantees access to free public education for disabled children nationwide.  IDEA was passed in 1975 to help states respond to federal and state court rulings that mandated a free public school education for all disabled children.  Prior to that, disabled children received no schooling or were underserved.

In the legislation, Congress promised to provide 40 percent of the program's funding. Funding, however, has never reached more than about 15 percent of the costs. Bard said the Abington School District she represents in southeastern Montgomery County receives only 1 percent of its special education dollars from the federal government.

Bard has discussed the need for additional special education funding with Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). She will be meeting with Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) in the near future.

Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation authored by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) that would fully fund IDEA. The measure is now being considered by a House and Senate conference committee.

"I urge local tax payers to contact Sen. Santorum, Sen. Specter and our representatives in Congress to urge support for Sen. Hagel’s legislation fully funding IDEA."