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Tell Congress: Protect and Support Children with Disabilities, Increase Fiscal Year 2027 Funds and Require ED to Oversee All K-12 Programs
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are discussing Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 education funding that includes programs essential to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other K-12 laws and program overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Over 90% of children with disabilities attend a public school where the majority (80%) spend most of the school day in the regular classroom. Schools need federal funds to support children with a disability within the eco-system that Congress created to help states ensure access to early intervention, preK-16 education, career and technical education, post-secondary education, vocational rehabilitation, and a path to employment for all.
COPAA wants Congress to support students with disabilities by increasing FY 2027 education funding to ensure resources are available to schools, and to require ED to oversee all K-12 programs as the law requires.
Email Congress today and help promote increases to IDEA and other funds critical for all students with disabilities and their schools.
Protect and Support Children with Disabilities, Increase Fiscal Year 2027 Funds and
Require ED to Oversee All K-12 Programs
I am a parent/advocate of a child with a disability. I am writing to share my support for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 education appropriations funding that supports the 10.25 M school-age students with disabilities by increasing investments in all parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), supporting the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), funding each K-12 program, and requiring the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to oversee all education laws as required by statute.
Increased funding is essential because more than 90% of children with disabilities attend a public school where the majority (80%) spend most of the school day in the regular classroom. Schools need federal funds to support children with disabilities within the eco-system that Congress created to help states ensure access to early intervention, preK-16 education, career and technical education, post-secondary education, vocational rehabilitation, and a path to employment for all. Specifically, I recommend the following in FY 2027:
Congress must fund Part B (ages 5-21) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at $16.661 B.
Part B provides the financial support needed to ensure that 8.2 million K-12 students with disabilities, approximately 15% of students, have access to an individualized education and provides states and districts the flexibility to determine how to best use the funds to meet the needs of their students with disabilities. This level would put IDEA on a bipartisan-supported glide path to full funding.
Congress must provide funding for these critical education, research, and civil rights priorities.
IDEA: Part B Sec. 619 (ages 3-4): $491 M
IDEA: Part C (ages 0-2): $632 M
ESEA: Title I (low-income schools): $21.58 B
IES: Natl. Center for Special Ed: $70 M
HEA: Students w/Intellectual Disability: $13.8 M
Natl. Center for Special Ed Research: $70 M
Office for Civil Rights: $163.8 M
IDEA Part D – Critical National Activities
● State Personnel Development Grants: $44.4 M
● Technical Assistance/Development: $36.2 M
● IDEA Personnel Preparation: $135 M
● Parent Training Information Centers: $38.15 M
● Education Technology and Media: $36.7 M
The future of our economy, the stability of families; and the achievement of the American dream for millions of students rests upon us all. Congress must invest further in education so states can meet the requirements of IDEA and ensure every student with a disability graduates from high school ready for post-secondary education, career training, and gains the ability to live an independent and meaningful life.
Thank you for supporting the FY 2027 education funding bill.
If I can provide additional information as you conduct your work on behalf of me/my child, please let me know.
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