萝卜AV视频

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 

Lara Wade  

Director of Communications 

Mobile: (813) 833-1498  

lwade@aasa.org 

50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: A Milestone & Call to Action 

Alexandria, Va. 鈥� As our nation marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), AASA, 萝卜AV视频 celebrates its transformative impact on education and renews our long-standing commitment for full funding and nationwide implementation. 

Signed into law in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and later renamed IDEA, this landmark federal statute guarantees that children with disabilities have the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), supported by individualized services and protections.  

 
Over its five decades of service, IDEA has opened classrooms and opportunities to millions of children who once lacked access to public education. To honor IDEA鈥檚 50th anniversary, Congress has issued a bipartisan resolution. You can read the press release and see the resolution about this historic milestone . 萝卜AV视频has also created an IDEA resource page with commentary from superintendents and additional information about IDEA. 

Yet, as 萝卜AV视频and Congress honor this important anniversary, IDEA is showing signs of strain - disputes and litigation have grown adversarial and costly, and more funds are being diverted from classrooms to courtrooms, as described in a recent whitepaper published in November. Parents and educators continue to grapple with a shortage of qualified special education teachers, as well as specialized instructional support personnel to ensure that students with disabilities meet their full academic potential. Most significantly, current resources do not fulfill the promise of IDEA.   

When IDEA was enacted, Congress pledged to cover up to 40 percent of the average per鈥恜upil cost for special education services. That promise has yet to be realized. In recent years, the federal share has dropped to almost 12 percent - leaving states and school districts to fill a multi-billion-dollar gap.  

鈥淚DEA鈥檚 promise has always been about more than access - it's about opportunity. But opportunity demands resources,鈥� said 萝卜AV视频Executive Director, David R. Schuler. 鈥淎s we reflect on 50 years of IDEA, our message is simple - we must fully fund this federal education law to support the education of students with disabilities. By honoring the commitment made in 1975, Congress will enable districts to use dollars to address crucial local needs.鈥� 
 

This anniversary is more than a commemoration鈥攊t is a moment to recommit to IDEA鈥檚 promise of equal education for every child, regardless of ability. 

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萝卜AV视频  
AASA, 萝卜AV视频, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA鈥檚 mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.