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Tell Congress to Protect Students with Disabilities: Support the Senate FY 2026 Education Funding Bill that Supports IDEA and Prohibits the Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education
The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 education funding bill that includes provisions critical to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other education laws. The Senate appropriators have rightfully ignored recommendations made by the White House to block grant certain parts of the IDEA and have funded special education as well as Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) at the same levels as the current fiscal year. Consistent with COPAA’s recommendations and in a preventative move to keep Title I and IDEA at ED, the bill prohibits any transfer of these funds and their programs to other agencies and requires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to maintain sufficient staffing “to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.”
In addition to funding all parts of the education budget, which includes the Office of Special Education and the Office for Civil Rights the Senate bill also requires funding for IDEA, ESEA, homeless education, career/technical education, and adult education to be distributed to states “on the date such funds become available for obligation” which ensures funds are provided to states and districts according to the timeframe those laws have promised it. Other wins include language specifying for IDEA as well as the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) -which funds longitudinal data collection, special/general education research and more- that ED must fund and oversee each of the funding lines as outlined in the bill “report.” COPAA advocated for this specificity in the underlying appropriations statute to ensure that all of IDEA (e.g., Part B-611 (ages 6-21), Part B-619 (preschool), Part C (ages 0-2) and Part D-National Activities) and other education laws are funded and implemented by ED as required by federal authorizing statutes. For the health and disability support programs overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Senate bill funds all early childcare and disability support programs (e.g., university centers for excellence in developmental disabilities, protection and advocacy, developmental disability councils) which in some cases were targeted by the White House for elimination.
With your help, this bill could pass the Senate and be used as a major negotiating tool with the House to ensure that IDEA funding remains intact and that all parts of IDEA are funded and overseen by ED. By reaching out to the Senate, you can help Congress work to protect the 9.5 million students with disabilities -eligible under IDEA and 504- and reject any federal policy threats to the educational access rights, civil rights protections, and opportunities that our students deserve.
Protect Students with Disabilities and their Families. Pass the Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Education Bill that Protects Special Education
I am a parent/advocate of a child with a disability. I am writing to share my support for the bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 education spending bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee 26 to 3. The bipartisan bill both supports and protects the 9.5 million children with disabilities eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
As my Senator, I urge you to support the bill when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote. In addition to funding all parts of the IDEA, which includes services and supports for eligible children from ages 0-21, it also prohibits the U.S. Department of Education (ED) from transferring IDEA or Title I funds and their programs to other agencies and requires ED to maintain sufficient staffing “to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.” These are crucial details that ensures ED will monitor compliance and also see that parents receive training and that states and districts have access to essential technical assistance that supports the education of children with disabilities. Finally, the bill requires funding for IDEA, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, homeless education, career/technical education, and adult education to be distributed to states “on the date such funds become available for obligation” which ensures funds are provided to states and districts according to the timeframe those laws have promised it.
The role you play is essential to ensuring that all children with disabilities (from infancy into adulthood) can access -through state and district-run programs- the early intervention and K-12 programs they need to support successful transition throughout school into career/technical and post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. States and districts rely upon key federal funding and technical assistance from ED so they can meet their obligations under IDEA and 504. These are also key to ensuring that schools are a welcoming place for all students and their families -where every child can learn, grow, and thrive in pursuit of their full potential.
Thank you for supporting the FY 2026 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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