Congressman John Kline (R-MN) today criticized congressional Democrats’ refusal to increase funding for special education programs, arguing that Congress has ignored its obligation to fully fund its share of expenses under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for far too long. Kline, the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, offered an amendment to the annual spending bill for the U.S. Department of Education that would have increased special education funding by $1 billion for the coming year by decreasing spending on ineffective and low-priority programs. Democrats first refused to debate the proposal; when Republicans forced a vote, Democrats rejected it outright.
“A boost in special education funding would benefit every single school system in America," said Kline. “By refusing to debate our amendment, Democrats are perpetuating the status quo of broken promises and unmet obligations."
In 1975, Congress enacted IDEA to help states and school districts provide a free, appropriate, public education for children with disabilities. At the time, Congress committed to providing 40 percent of the excess cost of educating children with disabilities. Now, almost 35 years later, funding for the program stands at 17.5 percent, leaving states and school districts to cover the shortfall. This reduces funding available at the local level to hire teachers, buy textbooks, implement new programs and technology, provide tutoring and other academic supports, or address specific local priorities.
Rep. Kline joined Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) in offering an amendment to the FY 2010 spending bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to increase special education funding by $1 billion. Democrats have proposed $11.5 billion in funding for IDEA, the same level the program received last year. The Democrats’ proposal would provide just 16.9 percent of the excess cost of educating children with disabilities - a smaller percentage than was provided last year. The Kline/Tiahrt amendment would have increased the federal share to 18.3 percent.
“The federal budget is about priorities, and my priority is to keep the promises we’ve made before making new ones," said Kline. “After making upward progress for years, IDEA funding has stagnated, even as school districts face unprecedented budget constraints. Our amendment was an effort to change that trajectory and put us on the path to full funding."
The Kline/Tiahrt amendment invested an additional $1 billion in special education funding without increasing the deficit by eliminating or scaling back spending on duplicative, ineffective, and low-priority programs.
