The IDEA Full Funding Act proposes to increase federal funding for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), gradually ramping up the federal government's contribution to 40 percent of the national average per-pupil expenditure by fiscal year 2035 and beyond. Currently, the federal government covers only a portion of special education costs, leaving states and local school districts to fund the remainder. This bill would directly appropriate increasing amounts starting at $6.4 billion in fiscal year 2026, growing to $69.6 billion annually by 2035, with funding calculated based on the number of children with disabilities served and national per-pupil spending levels. The legislation affects all states and school districts that serve children with disabilities ages 3 through 21. The bill includes a requirement that spending comply with budget rules, meaning increases would need to be offset by cuts or revenue elsewhere in the federal budget. The bill was introduced in April 2025 with bipartisan support from 57 House members.
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