IDEA at 50: Tools and Insights for District Leaders

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Type: Toolkit

Topics: Access & Opportunity, Education Funding

December 01, 2025

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark law that transformed public education by guaranteeing students with disabilities the right to a free and quality education.

This resource hub brings together guidance, best practices, and tools to help you honor IDEA's legacy while advancing its promise in today's public schools.

District Perspectives: 50 Years of IDEA in Action

Gladys Cruz
Fifty Years of the Promise: We Must Not Retreat on IDEA
Fifty years ago, President Gerald Ford signed a law that fundamentally changed American education: the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Thomas Toohey
Special Education Is Not a Place
The largest suburban district in New Jersey celebrates the 50th anniversary of IDEA by highlighting its transformation into an inclusive district that views special education as a continuum of empowering services, while calling on policymakers to fully fund and bridge the gap.

Amy Starzecki
Achieving IDEA's Promise Through Systems, Not Labels
Wisconsin's 2025 Superintendent of the Year shares how IDEA implementation and inclusive practices raised graduation rates from lowest to 98% in five years.

Statements and Updates

50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: A Milestone & Call to Action (December 2025)

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.

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Van Hollen, Cassidy, Huffman, Thompson, Scholten, James Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (December 2025)

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), and John James (R-Mich.) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the historic step this legislation took by mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to a free, appropriate public education.

鈥淚DEA Full Funding Act鈥� Bill Reintroduced by Reps. Huffman, Thompson and Sen. Van Hollen to Fully Fund Special Education (April 2025)

In April, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Glenn 鈥楪T鈥� Thompson (PA-15) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reintroduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This legislation would fulfil Congress鈥� commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Read Press Release

Tools, Articles and Publications

Celebrating 50 Years of IDEA: A Reflection from Maine鈥檚 Leaders for Special Education by Gay Anne McDonald

"As IDEA marks its 50th anniversary on November 29, 2025, the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) joins administrators for special education across the state in reflecting on how far we have come 鈥� and where we must go next."

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Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th Anniversary

Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA 50th Report Cover This report includes policy recommendations to modernize dispute resolution under IDEA by expanding preventive and collaborative mechanisms鈥攕uch as IEP facilitation, mediation, and early-resolution models鈥攚hile improving the training, oversight, and consistency of hearing officers.

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Prioritizing Graduation for Students With Disabilities by Amy L. Starzecki

"We redesigned our special education services at the middle and high schools to ensure students received the support they needed to succeed in general education settings while addressing IEP goals and objectives. We now have a robust continuum of service models to address various supports for students with disabilities."

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PEP Talk Episode 42: Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th Anniversary

On this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant interviews two of the authors of AASA's new report Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th Anniversary. Angela L. Balsley, Ed.D., founder of Unified Leadership and David Bateman, PhD., answer questions about what dispute resolution reforms could look like in 5 - 10 years and why this report is important and timely.

As 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.

David Schuler
Executive Director, AASA

At its core, IDEA represents a promise that every child will be seen, supported, and valued. That promise has transformed public education for half a century, but it remains unfinished. As district leaders, we must continue advocating for the resources, understanding, and empathy needed to fulfill IDEA鈥檚 vision for the next generation.

Thomas Toohey
Assistant Superintendent of Pupil/Special Services, Edison Township Public Schools (N.J.)

As we celebrate IDEA鈥檚 50-year legacy, our hope is Congress will take steps towards funding IDEA as promised. The shortfall of the promised 40% funding level places incredible strain on local budgets, especially when student needs are intensifying and workforce shortages are real 鈥� and growing.

Gay Anne McDonald
Executive Director, Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC)

On this 50th anniversary, we must do more than celebrate the purpose of IDEA. We must reaffirm our nation鈥檚 commitment to fully supporting and funding IDEA. The promise made in 1975 must be a guarantee kept for the next 50 years and beyond.

Gladys Cruz
Superintendent, Questar BOCES III (N.Y.), 萝卜AV视频Past President

萝卜AV视频